Facts From The Balloon Council

BALLOON LAUNCHES:
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 process. Exposure to sunlight quickens the process, 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. 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.

* 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.

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 one such story. In one study of 439 dead sea cows over an 8 year period, Cathy Beck of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service did not find a single balloon inside a single deceased sea cow.* The most frequently cited case is one in which the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ, found a balloon in the intestinal track of a dead sea turtle. Bob Schoelkopf, the director of the Center, has said himself that the balloon could not be identified as the cause of death.* 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. But by playing loose with facts to create a visual and sympathetic picture, opponents of releases try to manipulate public perception.

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.

Balloons: Facts & Figures

HISTORY:
Balloons - in one form or another - have been around for centuries. But 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.* Today, balloons are floating greeting cards. Almost 80 percent are used to deliver messages -- from "congratulations" to a friendly "you are over the hill" birthday jibe.

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-percent 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.