Helena Joyce
Air pollution is the presence of chemicals in the Earth's atmosphere that are not normally found there. The release of these substances into the atmosphere can cause undesirable health, economic, and aesthetic effects. While helium is a trace component of clean, dry air, helium balloons impose a toll on our air, land, and sea. When balloons lose their buoyancy, they can land miles away from their release site, and the remnants can harm wildlife. Additionally, helium is a non-renewable resource with crucial industrial, medical, and scientific applications.
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What You'll Learn
Helium is a non-renewable resource
Helium is a non-renewable natural resource that is mostly recovered from natural gas deposits. It was first identified in 1868 by astronomers studying the sun and was discovered on Earth in 1903 when an exploratory well drilled in Kansas produced a gas that did not burn. Geologic conditions in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas make the natural gas in these areas some of the richest in helium in the world.
Helium is a critical component in many fields, including scientific research, medical technology, high-tech manufacturing, space exploration, and national defence. Its unique properties, such as being lighter than air, non-reactive, and inert, make it ideal for various applications. For example, it can be used for buoyancy, levitation, and creating large-magnitude magnetic fields in medical diagnostics. Additionally, its high speed of sound leads to acoustic applications, and its ability to liquefy at low temperatures makes it an excellent coolant.
Despite its importance, humanity is wasting this non-renewable resource. The most common use of helium is filling single-use balloons, permanently removing the used helium from the Earth. There is a global helium shortage, and the lack of a long-term plan for managing this resource is concerning. Only 14 plants worldwide mine and refine helium, and half of them are in the United States. The National Helium Reserve in the United States is constantly in danger of being auctioned off, further exacerbating the shortage.
It will take hundreds of millions of years for Earth to replenish its helium stores naturally. Therefore, it is essential to conserve and manage this valuable non-renewable resource sustainably to ensure its availability for future generations.
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Helium balloons are a hazard to aircraft
Helium is a natural, non-flammable, non-toxic gas. There is no ecological damage resulting from the use of helium. However, when used for balloons, helium can pose a hazard to aircraft.
Helium balloons can reach altitudes of up to 30,000 feet, which means they can interfere with aircraft during landing and take-off. In rare cases, helium balloons can come into contact with aircraft engines, potentially causing damage. While the chances of a helium balloon causing a significant issue are slim, it is not impossible. For example, if a balloon made of mylar hit a radial engine, it could melt onto the cylinders and cause operational issues.
Additionally, helium balloons can pose a choking hazard, particularly for children under eight years old. If a balloon deflates, a child could choke on the loose balloon or its cup. Latex balloons can also cause allergic reactions in some individuals, ranging from minor skin irritation to anaphylaxis.
To minimise the risk to aircraft, it is essential to follow local regulations when releasing helium balloons. This may include ensuring the balloons are highly visible and notifying Air Traffic Control (ATC) of their presence so that pilots can be warned and directed to avoid any potential collisions.
Overall, while helium itself is not a pollutant or hazardous substance, helium balloons can pose a safety risk to aircraft and individuals on the ground, especially if not handled and disposed of properly.
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Mylar balloons cause power outages
Air pollution is defined as the release of various gases, finely divided solids, or finely dispersed liquid aerosols into the atmosphere at rates that exceed the environment's capacity to dissipate, dilute, or absorb them. While helium is a trace gas in the Earth's atmosphere, it is not considered a pollutant as its presence is normal and does not exceed the environment's capacity to absorb it.
On the other hand, mylar balloons have emerged as a significant cause of power outages and a danger to public safety. Mylar, or foil, balloons are made of aluminized plastic film and were introduced to the market in the 1970s. They have since become popular at celebrations, but their impact on power infrastructure has been detrimental.
The issue arises when mylar balloons come into contact with power lines. The metallic coating on these balloons conducts electricity, and when they touch power lines or float into substation equipment, they can cause short circuits, leading to power outages. In a single week in May, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. reported seven mylar balloon-related outages affecting about 3,800 customers. Over the past five years, mylar balloons have caused more than 500 outages in the San Diego area alone.
The problem is not isolated to California. Mylar balloons have been blamed for more than 200 power outages across several states, including Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In New Jersey, Public Service Electric & Gas experienced a 26% increase in outages caused by mylar balloons over the past five years.
The long-lasting nature of these balloons exacerbates the issue. Helium-filled mylar balloons can stay afloat for up to two weeks and drift for miles, increasing the likelihood of encountering power lines. This has led to public appeals from utility officials, urging consumers to use these balloons indoors or to securely tether them with weights when used outdoors. Additionally, consumers are advised to puncture and deflate the balloons before disposal to prevent them from drifting into power lines and causing outages and potential safety hazards.
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Latex balloons can last up to four years
Helium balloons may be fun and festive, but they impose a heavy toll on our air, land, and sea. While helium itself is not a pollutant, the balloons that it fills certainly are. Latex balloons can last up to four years, and during that time, they can cause serious harm to the environment and wildlife.
When helium balloons are released into the sky, they can travel long distances and cause hazards to aircraft and the electrical grid. Mylar balloons, in particular, are known to cause power outages and fires when they become entangled in power lines. Even after balloons lose their buoyancy and descend back to Earth, they can still wreak havoc. The remnants of deflated balloons, along with their ribbons, can ensnare fish and wildlife, hindering their movement and ability to eat.
For instance, in communities near Lake Michigan, such as Chicago and Milwaukee, helium balloons often end up in the lake and eventually wash up on beaches. The persistence of these balloons and their ribbons in the environment underscores the problem, as latex balloons can last for up to four years. This longevity provides ample opportunity for them to negatively impact ecosystems and wildlife.
To address the environmental concerns posed by helium balloons, it is crucial to consider alternative options. For celebrations and memorials, there are numerous environmentally friendly substitutes. Banners, flags, paper streamers, pinwheels, and bubbles can add festivity to any party without causing harm to the environment. For solemn occasions, kite flying, candle lighting, seed paper messages, and tree planting offer meaningful ways to commemorate without contributing to pollution.
Additionally, it is essential to prevent the escape of helium balloons. Legislation, such as the proposed law in the Illinois General Assembly, aims to address this issue by making the intentional release of balloons illegal. Given the environmental toll of helium balloons, such measures are prudent. By taking responsibility for our actions and making conscious choices, we can enjoy celebrations while also preserving the natural world for future generations.
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Helium is a crucial element for medical use
Helium is an incredibly versatile element, with applications in a wide range of fields, from the military and aerospace industries to medical technologies. Its unique properties make it a crucial element in medicine, with applications in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other medical technologies.
MRI machines use superconducting magnets to produce extremely detailed images of internal body structures. These magnets must be kept extremely cold, and helium, with its extremely low boiling point of -269°C, is used as a refrigerant to cool the magnets. In 2013, during a global helium shortage, around 22% of the US helium supply was used for cooling MRI machines. The use of helium in this application is so important that there is currently no substitute available.
Liquid helium is also used in NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) machines, which are used to determine protein structures and test if medicines are reaching their targets inside the body's molecules. The superconducting wire inside these machines is kept cold by liquid helium, which prevents the current from stopping.
Helium is also used in a process called x-ray crystallography, which allows scientists to "see" the shape of tiny molecules down to the atomic level by studying the pattern of x-rays they scatter. The mirrors used in this process would degrade if exposed to air, so helium is used to prevent oxidation.
In addition to these applications, helium is used in respiratory treatments for asthma, bronchitis, and other lung deficiencies. When combined with oxygen, it forms a heliox gas mixture that is useful for treating respiratory ailments.
Overall, helium plays a critical role in various medical applications, and its unique properties make it a crucial element in healthcare and medical research.
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Frequently asked questions
While helium is a non-renewable resource with crucial industrial, medical, and scientific uses, it is not a pollutant in and of itself. However, the use of helium balloons can negatively impact the environment, as they can harm wildlife and persist in the environment for extended periods.
Helium balloons can pose hazards to aircraft and the electrical grid. When they eventually lose their buoyancy and return to the ground, they can land far from their release site and endanger wildlife. Mylar balloons, for instance, are non-biodegradable, while latex balloons can last up to four years.
Yes, there are several alternatives to consider for parties or memorials. For parties, you can use banners, flags, paper streamers, pinwheels, or bubbles. For memorials, you can fly kites, light candles, use seed paper for planting, or host a tree-planting event.
Yes, despite the US producing 40% of the world's helium, there is a global helium shortage. Projections indicate that we will face serious limitations in the helium supply within a few decades.
Helium has several crucial applications in various industries. It is used in MRIs, superconductors, and weather balloons, among other scientific and medical contexts.
