Don’t buy this kind of balloon! Why?

Audit expert: Zhou Hongzhi

Senior Experimentalist, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beijing University of Technology

Master Supervisor

During festivals and celebrations, releasing balloons is not only beautiful but also adds to the atmosphere. But did you know that hydrogen balloons are prone to explosion and can cause burns in serious cases, which is very dangerous.

Hydrogen balloons are flammable and explosive

Hydrogen is a single substance formed by the element hydrogen. At normal temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, non-toxic, highly flammable and insoluble in water gas. The density of hydrogen is about 1/14 of that of air, making it the smallest known gas.

Since hydrogen is a flammable gas, it can explode instantly when a hydrogen balloon rubs against other objects to generate static electricity, is exposed to the sun, or has excessive pressure.

When a hydrogen balloon explodes, the impact is very strong and the temperature is very high. If it touches our skin, it will cause burns. Therefore, crowded places have been banned from using and selling hydrogen balloons!

In July 2006, relevant state departments jointly issued the "Notice on Further Strengthening the Safety Management of Balloon Releases", requiring the use of inert gases to replace flammable and explosive gases such as hydrogen as balloon fillings, and clearly prohibiting the filling and release of hydrogen balloons and their launch objects in public places, and strictly prohibiting the filling of handheld hydrogen balloons in various occasions.

Compared to hydrogen, helium also has the ability to make balloons fly, and as an inert gas, it is safer. However, the market price of helium is about ten times that of hydrogen. Under the temptation of huge profits, some vendors still take the risk of processing and selling hydrogen balloons despite knowing that hydrogen is extremely dangerous.

It is worth noting that it is very difficult to distinguish helium balloons from hydrogen balloons in appearance. If you are not sure what gas is filled, do not buy it.

Can oranges and tangerines also make balloons explode?

The peels of fruits such as oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, and lemons contain an aromatic hydrocarbon called limonene, which is a type of organic solvent.

The main materials of balloons are high molecular organic compounds of latex and rubber. According to the principle of like dissolves like in chemistry, when these two organic substances come into contact, they will dissolve into each other, causing the surface of the balloon to become thinner locally and explode.

If a hydrogen balloon explodes when encountering fruit peel juice and then encounters an open flame, it will be very dangerous.

Balloons should be stored separately from tangerines, oranges and other fruits. After peeling tangerines, oranges and other fruits, wash your hands before touching balloons.

Why are helium balloons so expensive?

Helium (He) is the second element in the periodic table. In nature, helium usually exists as a colorless and odorless gas. Under standard atmospheric pressure, helium is the second lightest gas, with a density less than one-seventh of air. Therefore, filling a balloon with helium can also provide lift. However, the preparation of helium is much more complicated than that of hydrogen, so the current cost is about 8 to 12 times that of hydrogen.

Helium is safe because the internal structure of helium atoms is very stable and almost never reacts chemically with other substances. Helium is widely used in aerospace, semiconductors, scientific research, medical and other fields, and is known as "gold gas" and "industrial blood".

However, helium only accounts for 0.0005% of the Earth's atmosphere and is non-renewable. Helium is produced mainly by the decay of radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium deep in the Earth's crust. After one year of decay, 1 kg of uranium ore can only produce less than 0.1 ml of helium, and the more it decays, the less helium it produces.

Given that helium is difficult to prepare and its resources are scarce, it makes sense to raise the price of recreational helium balloons to an "unaffordable" level.

Things to note when buying balloons and playing with them

Avoid buying for young children

It is not recommended to buy balloon toys for children under 3 years old; children under 8 years old are best to play with balloons under adult supervision.

Choose a formal channel

Try to choose balloons produced by regular manufacturers, and do not buy them on the streets or at stalls. The balloons sold in these places are often "three-no" products and are very likely to explode and injure people.

Note the size of the balloon

Avoid buying balloons that are too large, as they will explode with greater force.

Be careful when carrying

Do not tie balloons to children's wrists or buttons on clothes; avoid taking balloons into elevators, buses or placing them in cars. Once exploded, the impact force generated by the balloon in a closed space will be significantly increased.

Note when inflating

Do not inflate the balloon too quickly, too much, or too vigorously; during inflation, make sure to keep it away from children's eyes.

Be careful when playing

Try to play with balloons in an open area and stay away from fire, sharp objects, etc.