What's the point of Balloons!?

Over the fourth of July weekend I could't help but notice all the balloons; a child here, a child there, all of them with red, white and blue balloons.  Everything seems so patriotic and the mood is light and fun.  Then a shutter of kids say "look a balloon in the air!".  This is normally followed by another balloon being released, like it's a competition to see whose balloon will reach the clouds first.  Not to mention sporting events!  These are the worst balloon criminals around, releasing hundreds of balloons into the air purposely to celebrate a touchdown or victory (Fig. 1).  As an environmental advocate and an aspiring biologist I ask the question "what harm are these balloons doing to our environment?".  As a human being I ask "what the hell is the purpose of balloons anyhow?".  Do we really need an inflated piece of rubber or latex tied to a string in order to show team spirit or patriotism?  So let's just take a look at what these spirit driven latex bubbles filled with helium are really doing to our environment.

Figure 1- Hundreds of balloons being released into the atmosphere.

There are two types of balloons used extensively in the balloon business: foil and latex.  Latex is a natural occurring substance which is highly biodegradable.  Research shows that latex balloons degrade at rates equal to a oak leaf (D.K. Burchette 1989).  What is not biodegradable is the foil or mylar balloons and the ribbon attached to a balloon.  Any balloon released into the atmosphere should be a latex balloon with natural cotton string attached (not ribbon).  This will allow the balloon upon popping a higher rate of decomposition and less time to affect the environment.  A balloon once released travels as high as 28,000 feet, exposed to temperatures as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.  This extreme elevation and temperature causes the balloon to expand and shatter into tiny pieces (D.K. Burchette 1989).  These tiny pieces of latex then flutter back to earth and are scattered over a wide area.  As stated earlier the tiny latex pieces and cotton string will decompose at a rate equal to an oak leaf. 

The problems are with the ribbon and foil balloons.  Their decomposition rate is much slower and is harmful to the environment.  Many waterbirds and sea life consume things of a small jelly like structure: squid, jelly fish, minnows, snakes, etc.  These foil balloons and ribbons mimic this natural food source and cause sea life to ingest these unnatural balloon particles.  After a thorough investigation into the subject my environmental side is put at ease knowing that latex balloons coupled with cotton string pose no immediate threat to the environment.  However, foil balloons and ribbon do.  Should you be apart of a balloon release of any kind make sure you're releasing latex balloons with cotton string. Some states have already passed legislation outlawing the mass release of balloos.  I support this step for two reasons: 1) What's the point in releasing hundreds of balloons which are going to float away in seconds? It just seems like a waste of money and time to me. 2) Even though the latex balloons pose no immediate harm to the environment, what good are they doing?  

Overall, support latex balloons with cotton string and raise awareness regarding foil and mylar balloons with ribbon.  I think overall we can have fun, show patriotic support and raise awareness at events in other ways then spending money on releasing hundreds of balloons into the air just to have them burst into tiny pieces and float back to earth. 

References:

Burchette, D. A Study of the Effect of Balloon Release on the Environment. . Retrieved , from http://www.theballooncouncil.org/pdf/balloon-release-study.pdf