Most of us have seen helium balloons gently float into the sky, whether by accident or intentional release. Watching a balloon disappear into the clouds can feel almost tranquil. But what goes up must come down, with serious impacts on the environment.
While airborne, balloons present hazards to aircraft and the electrical grid. Mylar balloons are known to cause power outages and fires when they become entangled in power lines. When balloons lose their buoyancy and come back to earth, they can land miles away from their release site. Balloons and their ribbons persist for a long time in the environment. Mylar balloons are not biodegradable, and latex balloons can last up to four years — plenty of time to do harm.
For communities such as Chicago and Milwaukee, many balloons end up in Lake Michigan, eventually washing up on beaches. The remnants of deflated balloons endanger fish and wildlife, which can get tangled in the ribbons and become unable to move or eat. In some cases, they eat balloons, which interfere with their digestion. Consumption of deflated balloons is a particular hazard for marine animals, including dolphins and sea turtles, which may mistake them for jellyfish.
Once in the environment, like other forms of plastic, balloons fragment into tiny pieces. These “microplastics” accumulate in bodies of water, where they are eaten by invertebrates and fishes. Microplastics have even been found in parts of fish and shellfish that we eat and in our own bodies. No place in the world seems to be free of microplastic contamination because the tiny particles are readily transported by air and water currents. The effects of microplastics on aquatic life are not well understood, and investigation is complicated by the great diversity of particle composition, size and time in the environment. Keeping plastic litter out of our bodies of water is essential to reducing microplastic pollution.
On the shores of the remote North and South Manitou Islands, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in northwestern Michigan, balloons are the most common litter. These beaches are visited by relatively few people — the litter is testimony to the long life and range of escaped balloons. During a 1-mile beach walk on South Manitou Island, we collected more than 100 deflated balloons with their ribbons, which included Mylar and latex ones. We’ve also seen many balloon remnants along the shores of North Manitou Island, including beaches that are nesting sites of the piping plover, an endangered shorebird.
Another concern is that helium is a nonrenewable resource with many crucial industrial, medical and scientific uses, such as in MRIs, superconductors and weather balloons. The U.S. is fortunate to be rich in helium; we produce 40% of the gas worldwide. But there is a global helium shortage, and projections of future helium demand indicate that we will face serious limitations in the helium supply within only a few decades.
The next time you are preparing for a party or memorial, consider alternatives to helium balloons. For a party, there are banners, flags, paper streamers, pinwheels or bubbles. For a memorial, you can fly kites, light candles, use seed paper to “plant” meaningful messages (perhaps a native pollinator garden) or host a tree planting.
If you do buy or encounter helium balloons, don’t let them escape. In fact, legislation being considered in the Illinois General Assembly would make the intentional release of balloons illegal, which seems wise given the fact that no matter where they end up, they become litter. And unless and until such legislation exists, if you see helium balloons released at events such as football games, consider asking the organizers to use something other than balloons to create a festive atmosphere at future events.
Let’s enjoy the summer without degrading the environment with helium balloons.
I'm an environmental enthusiast with a deep understanding of the impact of human activities on the ecosystem. My expertise extends to the consequences of seemingly innocent actions, such as releasing helium balloons, which, while visually appealing, have severe environmental repercussions.
The article you've shared highlights the often overlooked environmental consequences of helium balloon releases. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed:
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Hazards to Aircraft and Electrical Grid:
- Helium balloons pose risks to aircraft and the electrical grid when they become entangled in power lines, potentially causing power outages and fires.
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Environmental Impact:
- Balloons that lose buoyancy can land miles away from their release site, leading to persistent litter in the environment.
- Mylar balloons, in particular, are not biodegradable, and latex balloons can last for up to four years, contributing to long-term harm.
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Impact on Water Bodies:
- Balloons ending up in bodies of water, such as Lake Michigan, pose threats to aquatic life.
- Wildlife, including fish and marine animals, can become entangled in balloon remnants, hindering their movement and causing ingestion hazards.
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Microplastic Pollution:
- Like other forms of plastic, balloons fragment into tiny pieces known as "microplastics."
- Microplastics accumulate in bodies of water, affecting invertebrates, fishes, and even entering the food chain, posing potential risks to human health.
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Global Helium Shortage:
- Helium, a nonrenewable resource, is crucial for various industrial, medical, and scientific applications.
- Despite the U.S. producing 40% of the world's helium, a global shortage is anticipated, impacting crucial sectors like MRI, superconductors, and weather balloons.
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Alternative Celebratory Options:
- The article suggests alternatives to helium balloons for parties and memorials, including banners, flags, paper streamers, pinwheels, bubbles, kites, candles, seed paper, and tree planting.
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Legislation and Public Awareness:
- There's mention of legislation in the Illinois General Assembly considering the illegal release of balloons, emphasizing the need for responsible practices.
- Encourages individuals to actively participate by suggesting alternatives and raising awareness at events where balloons are released.
In summary, the article advocates for a mindful approach to celebrations, urging readers to reconsider the use of helium balloons and promoting responsible practices to protect the environment.
