Helium Shortage a Real Downer

Multitude of the colorful balloons dancing in the  - See all the beautiful colours of these balloons rising in the sky high above the clouds.
United States
June 19, 2012 6:02pm CST
Have you heard of the helium crisis in the United States of America? It seems that in the 1920's, the USA government set up the National Helium Program because they thought there would be a great need for helium in the military. In the 1960's, The Federal Helium Reserve was set up on an 11,000 acre site. This Reserve accounts for 1/3 of the world market. By 1996, the Federal Helium Reserve was losing money in its operations, so the Congress passed the Helium Privatization Acts which mandates the selling of USA Helium Reserves by 2014. This resulted in selling the Helium at half the price it would get on the open market. This has resulted in a great helium shortage in the USA. So what? Helium is not only used to lift party balloons, but is also crucial in medical equipment, such as MRI Scanners, which require liquid helium to cool their magnet. Helium is also required in the manufacture of flat panel televisions, and in welding, ship-building, and many other ways. Here's the Question: Would you curtail your use of helium in party balloons for the betterment of society? In practical terms, if your child or friend wanted helium filled balloons at their birthday party, would you decline in this practice because of the need for helium in other areas of life? Furthermore, would you boycott organizations, such as museums, churches, etc., who are wastefully using helium for mass balloon releases? What do you think about this helium shortage?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@ajk111 (2495)
21 Jun 12
The Helium shortage is a direct result of an incident involving Dean Martin. One evening after performing to the troops at the FHR a drunken Dean Martin broke into the helium reserves and made Jerry Lewis inhale it all.
• United States
21 Jun 12
Finally, a learned fellow responds to this discussion. That makes perfect sense, ajk111! I should have expected this very thing. Brilliant response!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
24 Jun 12
Wow...I have no idea there was a Helium shortage. I can see how it would be a problem with the dependence that the medical field has on it. I don't use much if any Helium but I guess if I did, I would certainly need to consider these factors when using it. Great information!
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 12
Glad I could share this information, JenInTN. Thanks for commenting. :)
@AmbiePam (85677)
• United States
20 Jun 12
It's a shame you can blow in a balloon to fill it up, but that won't work in an MRI machine.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jun 12
Haha! Yes, you do have a point, AmbiePam!