Balloons and the Environment

Are balloons a danger to the environment?

	Biodegradability
	Saving Rain Forests
	What happens to balloons that fly
	Sea mammals
	Litter

Biodegradability

Latex is a 100 per cent natural substance that breaks down both in sunlight and water. The degradation process begins almost immediately. Oxidation, the "frosting" that makes latex balloons look as if they are losing their colour, is one of the first signs of the process. Exposure to sunlight quickens the process, but natural microorganisms attack natural rubber, even in the dark.

Research shows that under similar environmental conditions, latex balloons will biodegrade at about the same rate as a leaf from an oak tree. The actual total degradation time will vary depending the precise conditions.

Saving Rain Forests

Rubber trees, from which the latex for balloons is harvested, are one of the main forms of vegetation in tropical rain forests, which in recent years have become crucial to maintaining the earth's fragile ecological balance. Harvesting latex can be more profitable to poor third world nations than raising cattle on the deforested land.

Even when the trees producing latex for balloon manufacturing grow on plantations instead of in rain forests, they help the ecosystem, as the natural biology of the trees helps maintain our atmosphere and protect the ozone layer.

What happens to balloons that fly

Often latex balloons are released either on purpose or accidentally. Research shows that most of these latex balloons - the ones that are well tied and have no structural flaws - rise to an altitude of about five miles where they freeze, breaking into spaghetti-like pieces that scatter as they return to earth. While we do know that animals occasionally eat these soft slivers of rubber, the evidence indicates the pieces ultimately pass through the digestive system without harming the animal.

Sea mammals

Although many stories have been repeated about sea creatures dying from balloons, extensive research by the industry and reporters has yet to verify one such story. In one study of 439 dead sea cows over an eight year period, Cathy beck of the US Fish & Wildlife Service did not find a single balloon inside a single deceased sea cow.

Most frequently cited case is one in which the Marine Mammal Standing Centre in Brigantine, NJ, found a balloon in the intestinal tract of a dead sea turtle. Bob Schoelkopf, the director of the centre, has said himself that the balloon could not be identified as the cause of death.

Litter

Balloons are not a significant litter problem. During a nationwide beach clean up in 1991, volunteers collected more than 713 000 bottles and cans, but found only 36 000 balloon fragments. These fragments - collected over more than 4 000 miles of shoreline - would fit inside about five garbage bags.

However, the Balloon Council encourages consumers to dispose of balloons - like all products - properly. Weights should be attached to all helium filled balloons to keep them from floating away accidentally. Consumers are asked to put deflated balloons into proper receptacles. Children under the age of 8 should always be supervised when playing with latex balloons because of the possibility of choking on small fragments from a burst balloon.

Balloon Releases and their affect on Living Things

On Litter and Balloon Releases

On health

On social issues

Balloon Releases and their affect on Living Things:-

*Question?*		Answer
*Environmentalists say that rubber balloons are killing animals, birds and sea life if they are released into the atmosphere. Is that true?*		No. To our understanding this is a misrepresentation of the facts. There is no documented proof that any sea animal has died as a direct result of ingesting latex balloons. Rubber balloons, unlike plastic, are 100% biodegradable and begin degrading about one hour after inflation. Exposure to sunlight quickens the process but a combination of oxygen and ozone attack the natural rubber - even in the dark.

I've heard balloons have been found in the stomachs of dead animals. Is this true?		Yes it is true that fragments of balloons have been found in dead animals. But to our understanding this has never been attributed to the cause of death. There is no denying it is an emotional issue, but here are some facts: There is no known and proven death of sea life attributed to natural, latex, balloons. This should not be confused with plastic which, unlike balloons, is not immediately 100% biodegradable. In a published case, a whale autopsy showed it had ingested a balloon. What was not reported was that it had pneumonia, a severe gash on the head and marks indicating it had been attacked by sharks. Before dying, it had also been pounded against a pier piling for six hours. Sea turtles have been known to ingest and pass balloon fragments through their system without harm.

Don't balloons block the digestive system of animals?		Research conducted at the University of Miami found that the passing of latex corresponded with normal gut passing time. There is no documented proof that the death of a cow or other domestic animal has been attributed to choking on a balloon. It is, however, a very emotive assumption and powerful argument - but without foundation.

What happens to balloons that are released into the air?		About 95% of balloons released into the atmosphere rise to an altitude of approximately five miles. The temperature here is about -20 degrees. The balloons actually freeze in the jet-stream and become brittle before shattering in a state called "brittle fracture". What that means is that the balloon is reduced to pieces about the size of a ten cent piece, where they flutter back to earth to finish decomposing.

There is a great deal of public community concern about balloon releases at major sporting venues and special events. Are these concerns valid?		Balloon releases are a major visual spectacle. They raise excitement and anticipation of an even greater event. Their impact on the environment is, however, less spectacular and almost disappointing. Balloons are a natural product, grown from trees and they degrade rapidly when exposed to the environment. The effect is similar to an oak leaf - it soon rots and re-enters the food chain - unlike most plastics. The EPA request the organisers of such events minimise the undesirable effects by avoiding all plastic materials and use only easily degradable materials. Latex balloons fit this category.

On health:
But what about the chemicals used in balloons?		Rubber balloons are made of 100% latex. Latex is the solidified sap from a rubber tree and is non-toxic. Even the small quantities of dyes used to colour balloons are non-toxic and can re-enter the food chain safely. Balloons naturally degrade at about the same rate as an oak leaf.

Surely there is a danger to health?		Australia's only manufacturer of balloons, Sanbrook Rubber, has been producing balloons for over 35 years and using the same materials and in the same factory they produce baby soothers or 'dummies'. This equates to millions of biological 'tests'. The only reported reaction to latex is a rare protein allergy similar to a food allergy.

Surely the helium gas used in balloons is a serious risk to health?		Pure grade helium is mixed with oxygen and given to deep sea divers to avoid getting "the bends" (it replaces nitrogen which dissolves in the blood and causes bubbles as the diver surfaces). It is totally non-toxic, non-explosive and inert and does not affect the ozone layer.

The breathing helium to create a "Donald Duck" party trick is OK?		NO! It is not OK. Helium does not support life as it replaces the oxygen in the lungs and can cause unconsciousness, even death! The person can actually be asphyxiated through lack of oxygen. This party trick should be discouraged at all times. Helium inhalation is no laughing matter! Comedy television and radio programmes using helium as a device for a few quick laughs must be told it is a deadly game, not a fun, safe practice. Please do not inhale balloon gas.

Aren't balloons dangerous to small babies.		Balloons have a natural fascination for babies and are fun. However, broken balloons should be kept out of harms way and removed immediately. Partially deflated balloons should be removed from the bedroom. This also applies to any object that could lodge in the wind-pipe of a small child and cause suffocation or choking. Do not allow a small child to suck or chew on balloons. Collect scraps and dispose of balloons properly.


On Litter and Balloon Releases
Environmentalists claim that balloons released fall into the oceans and cause litter. Is this true?		Most released balloons rise to a point where they can no longer expand and shatter into fragments smaller than a leaf. These degrade rapidly and re-enter the environmental cycle of life. There is no way of knowing where they fall. Even so, 1000 balloons would weigh less than 3 kilos - less than a decent size fish. It would take 12 000 balloonists, releasing 12 000 balloons simultaneously, to cover less than 1/100^th square mile of ocean. It would require 28 million balloons, inflated to full capacity, to cover one square mile. And that is if all the balloons came down intact, at the same time, at the same place!

We all know the danger plastics are to the environment. Doesn't this worry you?		Greatly. Most people are, however, confused between "plastic" and "latex" - there is an enormous difference. Latex is a 100% natural product and degrades at about the same rate as an oak leaf. The degraded latex just enters the food chain again.

Are all balloons the same?		No. There are basically two types of balloon- foil balloons and latex balloons. Foil Balloons Foil balloons (often referred to as Mylar) are bladders made of nylon, coated with aluminium. The Australian Balloon Association, BASA, in its guidelines to members and in all instructional material stresses that MYLAR BALLOONS MUST NEVER BE USED FOR BALLOON RELEASES. It is also a guideline that all foil balloons, when sold, have a suitable weight attached to prevent release into the atmosphere. Foil balloons should be disposed of in the same way as a plastic bag. Latex Balloons Latex balloons are a natural product made from sap from the rubber tree. The Australian Balloon Association, BASA, in its guidelines to members and in all instructional material stresses that ONLY HAND TIED, NATURAL LATEX BALLOONS, WITH NO RIBBON OR PLASTIC SEALER ATTACHED BE USED FOR BALLOON RELEASES.


On social issues
*Is the Australian balloon industry being responsible?*		In Australia, a national association (BASA) has been formed to educate its members and keep them informed of public concerns on environmental and safety issues. They conduct regular training sessions on such matters. The environment is of great concern to all the balloon industry. As responsible human beings we must view everything in balance. Take for example Latex is naturally produced from the sap of living trees. These trees help purify the air we breathe. The process is very labour intensive and income is produced as a result, which is distributed to developing nations. There is a huge moral argument to support the latex industry - not the least is the production of condoms to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and as a form of birth control.

When were latex balloons invented?		About 60 years ago.

What do politicians think about your industry?		Balloons have nothing to do with politics. Politics represents people's ideas and aspirations. The environment is fragile, but facts have little to do with politics. Anything to do with the environment gets emotional and that gets votes. What politician would consider voting against an environmental issue? As long as politicians are aware of the facts, the balloon industry has nothing to worry about as long as it remains responsible to the community it serves.

What about the environmentalist?		Most environmentalists mean well and are not out to create mischief. For example, animal rights groups may release animals in captivity, only to find they die rapidly in a foreign environment as they cannot fend for themselves against their natural enemies. Hundreds of thousands of trees are cultivated in tropical regions for supplying latex for balloons. A fully grown tree makes enough latex per day for only two or three balloons. Using natural products and planting more trees are the best way to combat the "greenhouse effect" and global warming - this and deforestation are the environmentalist's nightmare. This rubber latex industry provides income for thousands of third world people who would otherwise be forced to find ways of making a living which could be harmful to the environment. In Australia there is a dedicated network of small businesses who rely partly or entirely on balloons for their business - all tax paying citizens. Charities use the sale of balloons to raise much needed funds and a children's ward would not be the same without balloons. World-wide it is a billion dollar industry. Danger to the balloon industry comes not from the environmentalist, but from lack of or incorrect information on biodegradable latex balloons.

Do you have anything else to say?		I believe the public concerns are real, but there is a great deal of emotional misinformation created around he issue. I believe we should target significant areas that are having a major impact on the environment, such as plastic bags, six pack rings, fishing line and foam cups and containers. As you can see from the facts, balloons are not one of these areas. They do, in fact, give a great deal of pleasure to children of all ages which is the reason for their existence. It is a pity that something as simple as a balloon, that brings so much joy to people of all ages, can receive such negative publicity and misinformed publicity. Balloons come from the earth and return to the earth and are possible one of the safest products on the market.

The balloon industry is aware of its social obligations and has an obligation to ensure that retailers and consumers are aware of the best use of the product. The national balloon association works to educate all those who enjoy working with our use these colourful toys. Like art, balloons are not absolutely necessary, but they do add to the quality of living.