Ford Vehicle Owner's Manual page 31

4. After inflation, the gas empties through holes
in the air bag. The air bag deflates at once.
The surface of the air bags and the vehicle
interior may be dusted with a powdery residue.
The powder is cornstarch or talcum powder,
which is used to lubricate the air bag as it
inflates, and sodium compounds such as sodium
carbonates (e.g., baking soda), and possibly a
very small amount of sodium hydroxide that
may be irritating to the skin and eyes, but is not
toxic.
Right after air bag inflation, you may notice
smoke (from the powder and dust) and smell
the burnt propellant. This is normal.
Air bag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
Air bags may not inflate in certain frontal
collisions, even though the vehicle may be badly
damaged. The fact that your air bag did not
inflate in such a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the air bag system.
Rather, it means the crash forces were not severe
enough to need an air bag to prevent serious
injury.
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