The use of helium within the balloon industry has become a controversial topic over the decades. Despite helium being the second most common element in the universe, we have experienced multiple shortages in recent times.
But is the party industry really contributing to this shortage and should helium in balloons be banned? As party supplies experts passionate about sustainability, Go International are here to explain.
What is helium?
Firstly, let’s talk a little more about helium and what it is. Helium is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic chemical element. It is a non-renewable natural source that is commonly recovered from natural gas deposits.
If you ask most people what helium is used for, they will answer ‘balloons’. However, helium has many other interesting applications. The medical industry uses helium within MRI scanners. It can also be used in defence applications such as rocket engine testing and it can be used to cool thermographic cameras and equipment used by search and rescue teams – to name but a few.
Its wide range of applications makes helium a pretty unique element. However, with all these different industries relying on it, is there really enough to go around?
Is there a helium shortage?
Indeed, there is currently a helium shortage. There are a few different contributing factors to this. Global supply chain problems caused by the pandemic and since worsened by the war in Ukraine, for instance. There has also been a series of disasters such as leaks, fires and explosions at major helium plants worldwide.
The conversation around preserving helium, however, had been taking place long before these disasters. In fact, the current helium shortage is considered by many within the industry to be the third shortage in the last 14 years.
Whilst helium is in abundance up in space, it is much more limited here on earth, however, it would be wrong to say that we are running out of helium. As new energy suppliers enter the market and scientists find new ways to extract helium from the earth, drying up resources is not something we need to worry about just yet.
Should the party industry stop using helium?
Of course, balloons are the most minor of helium uses. Whilst with all of the above in mind it may seem wise to stop using helium in balloons, the way the party industry actually uses helium isn’t ‘wasting’ it as much as you may assume. Let’s explain.
Helium is graded from grade 6 down to grade 4. Grade 6 is the purest form of helium. This is what is used to go into things like semiconductors and computer chips. In grade 5.5 sits the helium that is used in MRI scanners and in grade 4 is the helium that is put into balloons.
It’s important to note that grade 4 helium is not pure enough to be used in MRI scanners, or any application that requires a helium grade upwards of 5.5. This is why the party industry will never be taking away helium from these applications.
When helium is being bottled up to be used within MRI scanners, they take away the helium that does not meet the 5.5 grade and therefore, is not pure enough. This is the helium that we receive to sell within the party industry to fill balloons.
Helium in its purest form and, arguably its most valuable form, is never used within the party industry. For one, it is incredibly expensive. But secondly, we are able to use the lower-grade by-product that would otherwise go to waste and recycle it to be put into balloons.
At Go International, we are at the forefront of the helium debate in the party and balloon industry. We are working tirelessly to educate people beyond our industry. We are also working to continue supplying your needs during the current shortage and beyond.
If you have any questions about helium supplies, don’t hesitate to get in touch via our website or call 01438 745746.
