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BALLOON LAUNCHERS:
Balloons used in releases
are made of latex, a 100 percent natural substance that will break down
both in sunlight and water. The degradation process begins almost immediately
-- oxidation, the "frosting" that happens to latex balloons, is one of
the first signs of the degradation process. Exposure to sunlight
quickens the process of degradation, but natural microorganisms attack
natural rubber even in the dark. Research shows that after latex
balloons are launched, they often rise to an altitude of about five miles
where they freeze breaking into tiny pieces that scatter as they return
to earth. Under similar environmental conditions, latex balloons
will biodegrade at about the same rate as a leaf from an oak tree. The
actual total degradation time will vary depending on the precise conditions,
but it can be as short as several weeks.
While we do know that animals occasionally eat these soft slivers of rubber, the evidence indicates the pieces ultimately will pass through the animals digestive system without harming the animal. Therefore, when using balloons, place make sure that you pick up all pieces that may be harmful to animals or humans. Be responsible when using this product.
SEA MAMMALS:
There is no documented evidence
that a balloon has ever been responsible for the death of any sea animal.
Although many stories have appeared in the press about sea creatures dying
from balloons, extensive research by the industry and reporters has yet
to verify such stories.
A common misstatement designed to make balloons look bad is that sea creatures "mistake" balloons for a jellyfish. But there is no evidence that sea creatures think about what they eat. In fact, the variety of items -- many of which are much larger than balloons and don't look a bit like a jellyfish -- found in these animals show they will eat almost anything.
LITTER:
Balloons are not a significant
litter problem. During a nationwide beach cleanup in 1990, volunteers collected
more than 625,000 bottles and cans, but found only about 25,000 balloon
pieces. Of the more than 1,300 tons of debris collected, only 150
pounds were balloons.
HISTORY:
Balloons, in one form or another,
have been around for centuries. The modern latex balloon, the kind
you blow up yourself, was invented only 60 years ago in New England.
A chemical engineer, frustrated in his attempts to make inner tubes from
this new product, latex, scrawled a cat's head on a piece of cardboard
and dipped it in the latex. When it dried, Neil Tillotson had a "cat balloon,"
complete with ears. He made about 2,000 balloons and sold them on the street
during Boston's annual Patriot Day.
Latex balloons still are made from dipping forms into latex, but the process is mechanized. Early balloons were made from pig bladders and later from a rubber similar to that used to make rain boots. Today's latex balloons are made from a 100 percent natural substance, the sap of rubber trees. In the late 1970's, silver metalized balloons were developed for the New York City Ballet. These balloons are commonly called Mylar, but they are actually made from a metalized nylon and are more expensive than latex balloons.
BALLOON MANUFACTURING:
Latex balloons are produced
from the sap of the rubber tree. The sap is collected without harm to the
tree in much the same process as that used to collect maple syrup. The
use of latex balloons and other products, such as surgical gloves, make
rubber trees economically valuable, which discourages people from cutting
them down.
BIODEGRADABILITY:
Latex is a 100% natural substance
that breaks down both in sunlight and water. The degradation process begins
almost immediately. Oxidation, the "frosting" that happens to latex balloons,
is one of the first signs of the process. Exposure to sunlight quickens
the process, but natural microorganisms attack natural rubber even in the
dark. Research show that under similar environmental conditions,
latex balloons will biodegrade at about the same rate as a leaf from an
oak tree. The actual total degradation time will vary depending on the
precise conditions, but it can be as short as several weeks.
SAVING RAIN FORESTS:
Rubber trees, from which the
latex for balloons is harvested, are one of the main forms of vegetation
in tropical rain forests, which in recent years have become crucial to
maintaining the earth's fragile ecological balance. Harvesting latex can
be more profitable to poor Third World nations than raising cattle on the
deforested land. Even the latex used in balloon manufacturing that
comes from plantations instead of the rain forest helps the ecosystem,
as the natural biology of the trees helps maintain our atmosphere and protect
the ozone layer.
THE BALLOON COUNCIL:
Formed late in 1990 by manufacturers,
distributors, and retailers, The Council has embarked on a nationwide campaign
to present the facts about balloons and educate consumers as to their proper
use.
