On harm from balloons

The sweetest time for schoolchildren has come, that is, the last bells and graduation feasts! So soon we see lots of coloured balloons launched in the sky, usually with a thought of a blessed adult morrow. Not a good idea, since they eventually end up lying in the dirt and polluting environment! 

The amount of helium inside the balloon allows it to float for twelve hours. By the end of this time a balloon can fly tens and hundreds kilometers away and get into park, wood, or protected natural areas. Once contacted with ground or water balloon shell can emit toxins, as it is typically made of latex and covered with metal and paint. Balloons degrade for years and for years they pollute environment. Now foiled balloons do not degrade altogether. 

Latex balloons degrade in at least 4 years, caprone ribbons – over 100 years. 

Balloons may harm animals and birds. It flies 5 kilometers high and starts to freeze and decompose into pieces that can fall to the ground anywhere in the world. Their colouring attracts animals often unable to tell food from trash, so they swallow the pieces and die. In water deflated balloons resemble jelly-fish and small sea-creatures, so they are swallowed by bigger inhabitants, and that may also cause death.

Launching balloons may be harmful for humans as well – balloons may short-circuit high-voltage cords and be a threat to aircrafts. 

Let us notice that lauching balloons sometimes ended tragically.

The hero of silents, Felix The Cat, has entangled into telephone wires on a 1927 parade and caught fire that was luckily tamed fast. No one was injured.

The severest tragedy has taken place in 1986 in Cleveland, USA, on a balloon festival with million and a half balloons launched. Forecast promised thunderstorm on that day, so the organizers agreed to launch balloons early in the morning. Aircraft companies instantly cancelled the flights. Local airport closed, as the sky was crowded with balloons. After the rain started they became wet and lowered to the ground without bursting. Namely all water bodies in Ohio were dumped with balloons, and the surface of Erie completely disappeared from sight. 

At the moment water guard searched there for two fishermen from a capsized boat and later found them dead, as it was impossible to see their heads on the surface among balloons. Tens of car crashed after balloons have dotted the roads. 

In 1993 the first balloon produced in the honour of video games hero took an unfortunate lift-off. Strong wind threw it against the street light on Columbus Circle, and later it collided with police officer and his girlfriend. The couple escaped lightly injured, while the balloon was completely destroyed.

In 1997 parade strong 39 miles an hour wind shook Cat in the Hat so badly that it hit the street light on 72nd street in Central Park West. The street light fell on the ground and injured four people, one of which overcame a 24-days coma lapse.

After the incident Macy’s has promised to improve the training of their balloon pilots and replaced tens of street lights so they are much stronger during further parades. Additionally, government-appointed commission recommended some limitations for balloon size.

Mass balloon launches are banned in California, Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. Similar barrings are in force in some Australian cities.

What can replace balloons:

• planting trees, arrange green spaces in yards, flowerbuds, thus helping bees and improving the environmental conditions;
• flashmobs, soap bubble shows, mending monuments and public gardens, making feedboxes;
• eco-picnics;
• flowers in pots;
• multiple-use paper adornments.

By: Anzhela Pysarenko