A HORRIFIC video shared on social media recently captured an explosion in Karachi at a local school’s sports ceremony. The most likely cause was the balloons catching fire and exploding. The ball of fire injured several school children who suffered from burns and scalds and were taken to nearby hospitals. Several other videos have also been shared where birthday candles and sparklers caused explosions when coming in to contact with balloons.

Gas balloons float because they are filled with a gas less dense than air. These balloons are commonly called helium balloons, which is a misnomer since helium is not flammable and a helium balloon will not explode when it comes in contact with fire.

Helium, being less dense than air, is an inert gas and is classified as one of the noble gases as they do not react under normal circumstances. Since helium is expensive, the gas commonly used to inflate gas balloons is hydrogen, which is extremely flammable. Hydrogen is even lighter than helium and gives the balloon its floating property.

Unfortunately, the balloons sold in Pakistan by street vendors carry no instructions, labels and warnings. Unsuspecting customers do not know whether the balloons are filled with hydrogen or helium.

In the US, laws like the California Balloon Law strictly enforce the manufacture, sale and use of balloons. These laws are enacted taking human, animal and environment safety in to consideration.

Our government agencies responsible for the manufacture and sale of balloons should be vigilant and perform regular checks of private vendors to stop them from using hydrogen.

Jahanzeb Effendi
MD. Pennsylvania, USA

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2017