Posted by Kendall Raine on November 20, 2000 at 19:24:17:
In Reply to: If Helium is really an inert gas, then why ... posted by Eins on November 18, 2000 at 11:48:33:
The literature on the long term effects of helium strongly suggest no residual physiological impact. I can provide citations if you're really interested. Remember, the stuff has been used commercially for over 40 years-most of that in the context of saturation diving. As such, the research that has followed these dives is pretty extensive. Conversely, all kinds of research supports the contention that high PN2's are bad for you.
As for the balloons, I don't know. Perhaps it's related to the slow leak. He transports through the skin of the balloon because it is such a small molecule whereas air does not. A less porous material, like mylar, holds onto He much longer.