During holidays, festivals, and celebrations, people often engage in the beautiful and joyful activity of releasing numerous balloons into the sky. However, few question where the balloons go once they float away. Most people probably don’t pay much attention and merely observe them ascend and disappear.
Releasing balloons into the sky.
Balloons are typically filled with helium (He), a gas lighter than air, causing them to rise high, similar to how a piece of wood floats in water; even when pushed down, it will still float back up. As the balloons ascend, the air becomes thinner and atmospheric pressure decreases, causing the balloon to expand. Depending on the durability and elasticity of the rubber, at a certain altitude, the balloon will burst and fall to the ground.
If the balloon material is of good quality, it can rise to about 10 kilometers. At this height, the air is very cold, which makes the rubber lose its elasticity. The internal pressure of the balloon will cause it to break into many small pieces, which can either fall to the ground or drift far away as debris in the atmosphere.
Depending on the material and durability of the balloon, it can rise anywhere from 400 meters to about 11 kilometers before bursting and falling. This phenomenon contributes to environmental pollution.
A bird eating a balloon mistaking it for food.
The greatest risk posed by balloons when they fall to the ground is environmental pollution. Animals on land and in water may mistake them for food, causing harm to wildlife. Additionally, releasing balloons can pose safety hazards in aviation, and balloons that drift into power lines can cause fires or electrical failures.
Moreover, the release of a large number of balloons leads to waste and expense, particularly due to the extravagant loss of helium. Therefore, we should consider the implications of using balloons at festivals.
