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All gases (except oxygen & air) can cause asphyxiation in a confined space or if inhaled. Inert gases are typically colourless and odourless. Unconsciousness can occur suddenly, without warning if gasses are inhaled and compressed gases create additional hazards.

A number of accidental deaths and near misses (sudden collapse) have occurred from inhaling excessive amounts of helium from balloons or balloon filling systems. Such cases are rare, but are typically in children or young people experimenting or playing pranks, without understanding the dangers.

What Can Go Wrong?

• Inhaled gases will displace oxygen from the lungs and body. If enough is inhaled a person will pass out as the brain is deprived of oxygen. This can happen in seconds, without warning. If normal breathing is not resumed quickly and oxygen replenished, brain damage and death through asphyxiation will occur. 
• Asphyxiation can happen in a confined space or if the gas is directly inhaled.
• Compressed gases are held under immense pressure and will cause serious damage if released in an uncontrolled way.
• Gases inhaled from a compressed/ pressurised container can rupture the lungs as the gas rapidly expands or cause bubbles to form in the blood, which can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Legal/´óÏó´«Ã½ Requirements 

• Very careful judgements are required about content which might lead to dangerous imitation, particularly by children. Please see the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Editorial Guidelines about portrayal and imitative behaviour.

Control Measures

General controls

• Consider editorial issues, as in the editorial guidelines and presentation around the use of helium, or other gas, to create effects; particularly around interpretation and potential mimicking by children and young people.
• Consider safe alternatives, eg heliox (a breathing gas mixture of helium and oxygen) to produce the squeaky voice effect. Ensure oxygen content of the Heliox is at least 20%.
• Know the hazards of the gas being used, even if labelled non-hazardous, non-toxic or inert (see Substances Hazardous to Health in Related Topics)
• Carry out a risk assessment to identify steps for safe use, including what to do in the event that someone suffers adverse health effects.
• Seek expert advice/supervision for any ‘non conventional’ use of an inert gas.

Controls - if without expert advice & supervision

• Do not use a compressed gas in a confined space.
• Do not tamper with the cylinders or valves. Improvised cylinders to propel articles, or fly about in the air uncontrolled are likely to cause serious damage to people or property.
• Never use a gas supplied without reliable information on composition and safety (ie without a safety data sheet (SDS))

Division Specific Issues

• No division specific issues.

FAQs/Did You Know?

• The ´óÏó´«Ã½ (and media in general) is often accused of irresponsible broadcasting for depicting misuse of inert gas, particularly the squeaky voice effect from helium, as ‘harmless fun’. Campaigners include the BCGA (British Compressed Gases Association) and NABAS (National Association of Balloon Artists and Suppliers). The BCGA are a good source of information and publish free download leaflets.
• Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), Freon and Xenon are inert gases that can produce a deep voice effect. They are heavier than air & more difficult to expel once in the lungs, increasing the risk of asphyxiation.
• Inert gases are often found in household products and inhaled for narcotic/ mind altering effect, typically by children and young people. Common examples are Nitrous Oxide (N2O) (laughing gas) and refrigerants (eg Freon & Xenon). Abuse can be addictive & risks long term health effects & asphyxiation.
• A member of a Japanese pop group lapsed into a coma after inhaling helium during as part of a game show that involved changing her voice. Local media reports say she suffered an embolism in the blood supply to her brain.

Useful documents

Recommended links

• [Gateway]
• ´óÏó´«Ã½ News: Pop star in coma after inhaling helium