Air compressors: injury statistics
Compressors that power air tools and inflate tyres. In 2025 they were involved in an estimated 2,896 emergency room visits in the US.
ER visits per year
2016–2025 · 47 sampled cases in 2025Air compressor CFM calculator
Injury type
Share of ER visits, 2021–2025
Body part injured
Share of ER visits, 2021–2025
Age of injured people
84% male · 2021–2025
Real cases
From NEISS case narratives, 2024–2025. Abbreviations expanded.
Recalls of air compressors
Aqua Lung Recalls Powerline Inflators Due to Injury and Drowning Hazards2016-10-06Air compressorsAir Compressors Recalled by MAT Industries Due to Shock Hazard2014-02-12 · ShockAir compressorsDeVilbiss Air Power Co Recalls Air Compressors Due to Fire Hazard2012-08-30 · FireAir compressorsDeVilbiss Recalls Air Compressors Due to Fire Hazard2011-02-03 · FireAir compressorsAqua Lung America Recalls Apeks WTX Power Inflators Due to Drowning Hazard2010-06-30 · FallAir compressorsQuestions
How many people are injured by air compressors each year?
About 2,896 people were treated in US emergency rooms for injuries involving air compressors in 2025, according to CPSC's NEISS estimates. The average over 2021–2025 was 2,482 a year.
What are the most common injuries from air compressors?
Laceration is the most common diagnosis (22% of cases 2021–2025), and the finger is the most often injured body part (14%).
How often do injuries from air compressors need hospital admission?
11.3% of ER visits ended with the patient admitted or transferred to another hospital in 2021–2025.
About these numbers
National estimates from the CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), product code 823. A case is counted if the tool appears in any of its three product fields. Estimates under 1,200 or based on fewer than 20 cases are flagged. Methodology · CSV
