Are Helium Balloons an environment hazard?

Question

Are Helium Balloons an environment hazard?

Answer 1

Probably not unless one was to breathe Helium directly from the balloons over a long time period.

The Helium gas which was used to inflate the balloon was separated from the atmosphere by fractional distillation of liquid air.  When the balloon pops, the Helium is released back into the atmosphere.

One might argue than the energy used to separate the Helium is misused, but the Helium gas is really a by-product in separating Liquid oxygen (LOX) and Nitrogen from the air.

The amount of fossil fuel consumed in transporting Helium gas tanks is negligible in terms of the environment.