Balloons

FUN FACTS
"Did You Know?"

BALLOONS AND THEIR BIO-DEGRADABLE NATURE

Latex Balloons are Bio-Degradable. There are two types of
balloons in wide general use - latex and mylar. Latex balloons
are easily identified by their elastic character and are composed
of natural rubber sap and small amounts of non-toxic coagulants
and pigments. They are 100% bio-degradable. When exposed to
outdoor elements they are completely consumed by soil or water
micro-organisms at a rate quicker than that experienced by an
oak leaf under identical conditions. In much the same way maple
syrup is harvested from the maple tree, the production of latex
balloons contributes positively to the preservation of tropical rain
forests.

Mylar balloons are made with mylar nylon, a material developed
for use with the US space program. Balloons made from mylar
are often coated with a metallic finish and are available in a
variety of shapes and imprinted designs. Mylar balloons are not
classified bio-degradable and should not be released.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BALLOON RELEASES

When a latex balloon is released, it rises to a height of
approximately 28,000 feet, with the helium gas expanding as it
rises. With temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees at this
altitude, the balloon freezes. As the helium continues to expand in
the frozen balloon, the balloon undergoes "brittle fracturing"
and ruptures into small slivers which scatter and fall to earth.