Slow Clap Presents: The Helium Shortage

Real Story. Real Stupid.

You've probably heard in the news that Party City is closing approximately one-quarter of their stores due in part to the helium shortage.  It's hard to believe stores are closing due to a lack of helium but I'm taking it at face value and today's post is about the helium shortage.  Why do you care where helium comes from?  You probably don't but it is interesting and it serves as a good example of the mindless consumerism that we all partake in.

What is helium?  Helium is a naturally occurring gas that forms deep underground.  It is the second most plentiful element in our universe.  This gas is created over millions of years from the decay of metals and other elements underground.  It comes from the radioactive decay of radioactive elements such as thorium and uranium and it trapped along with what we commonly refer to as natural gas.  Helium is a byproduct of natural gas.

Where does helium come from?  Helium is mined from underground gas pockets.  The largest quantities are found in the United States, Algeria, Russa, and Qatar.  Helium is kept in some reserves like the National Helium Reserve that stores over 1 billion cubic meters of the gas.

What is helium used for?  Balloons, of course, but also as a cooling agent in large medical machines and in welding applications.  It can be used in NASA rockets to keep the correct pressure.  It is used in the production of some computer screens and TV screens.  It was used in military airships and other blimps when those were popular.  Helium is non-flammable which is why it was used in airships, it is what was supposed to be used in the Hindenburg but they chose to save money and use hydrogen instead and we all know how well that worked out.

The United States uses half of the known helium supply for the world.  The helium we have was formed over millions of years and there is currently no economically efficient way to manufacture this gas which means what we have is what we have.

My two cents:  I'm guilty of buying balloons for the kids from time to time and I never gave any thought as to where the helium came from.  I've learned in the last year how bad balloons are for the environment and now I've learned where helium comes from.  It would make the most sense for the planet to ban balloons, even though not many people would agree with me.

Rating:  I give the helium shortage 1 out of 5 possible slow claps.  It is another great example of how we squander natural resources that take millions of years to form.  Good job us!

An excellent use of a natural element that took millions of years to form.