Latex Balloons are bio-degradeable and environmentally safe

1. Q: What are balloons made of?
   A: There are two types of balloons. Foil balloons and Latex balloons. The foil balloons contain aluminium. Latex balloons are made from the sap of rubber trees - a completely natural substance.
2. Q: Are Latex balloons biodegradable?
   A: Yes, Latex is the product of the rubber tree sap, it breaks down when exposed to the elements of nature.
3. Q: How long does it take for a balloon to biodegrade?
   A: Oxidation is the first step in the breakdown of a latex balloon and it begins within approximately one hour of inflation. Oxidation is visible in some types of balloons as a cloudy appearance. This is most evident when the balloon is exposed to direct sunlight, heat or normal outdoor conditions. Research was carried out in July 1989 with a variety of balloons under various conditions to accurately gauge the time needed for the latex to degrade. Results from this study indicate that the decomposition time for balloons is about the same rate as an oak leaf (6 months).
4. Q: Is it true that balloons have been found ingested by sea animals?
   A: Some cases have been reported, but balloon fragments are unlikely to cause harm if accidently digested. This is because latex and the dyes used in latex colouring are non-toxic.
5. Q: What happens when a Balloon is released?
   A: A scientific survey carried out in 1989 revealed that on release a balloon will float up to a height of approximately 5 miles and then it becomes brittle and shatters into miniscule pieces falling back to earth at a rate of circa one piece every 5 square miles. Problems can arise when a balloon is not inflated properly or fully or is carrying too much weight and therefore does not reach the height at which shattering occurs.

Other Facts...

• Malaysia produces the most latex of any country in the world.
• Latex balloons are made from 100% natural latex - not plastic.
  Latex balloons decompose as fast as an oak leaf in your backyard!
• Latex balloons come from rubber trees.
• Latex is collected by cutting the tree's bark, then catching the latex in a cup.
• Latex harvesting doesn't hurt the tree!
• Latex balloons are Earth-friendly!
• Rubber trees grow in rain forests.
• Latex harvesting discourages deforestation because latex-producing trees are left intact.
• A tree can produce latex for up to 40 years!
• Foil balloons, also referred to as metallic or mylar and are actually two sheets of plastic polyethylene and nylon that are sandwiched together, then coated with a thin layer of aluminum.
• Foil (metallic) balloons are not biodegradable and they can (and will) conduct electricity, they should never be released outdoors because they could become entangled with power lines and lead to power outages.
• Helium is an environmentally friendly gas, it is non-flammable, non-toxic and non-radioactive
• Helium-filled balloons float because helium is lighter than nitrogen and oxygen, the two components of air.