All about Balloons

Any children's party would not be complete without the presence of colourful toy balloons. These balloons are inflatable objects which are usually made out of plastic or biodegradable, natural rubber. Natural rubber is also known as latex. It is a very elastic and flexible material which is extracted from plants. Balloons made from latex may contain small traces of nitrosamines; however, any amount released is so miniscule that it is non-hazardous. Nitrosamine is often used as a solvent in the process of making latex. Methods exist that would allow the levels of nitrosamine to be reduced in the final product, but these tend to be quite expensive. Most companies that make latex balloons are able to produce items that are 100 percent biodegradable which can even take less time than an oak tree to decay.

Foil balloons are also quite popular due to their shiny, metallic appearance. They are not elastic like latex balloons since they are made from aluminised PET film instead of rubber. These foil balloons often feature colourful and detailed images on their surfaces since they do not become distorted once they are inflated. When a foil balloon is no longer in use, it is recommended to cut it in order to release the helium and then dispose of it in a garbage bin. This is because any foil balloons which fly off can get caught in overhead power lines and end up causing power outages through short circuits because of their metallic coatings.

So, the next time that you are purchasing balloons for a children's party, take some time to appreciate the industrial processes which go into producing these delightful items.