From: SFPhysics@aol.com
Date: Fri Jan 23 2004 - 12:42:13 PST
From: SFPhysics@aol.com Message-ID: <1c3.1439d562.2d42e125@aol.com> Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 15:42:13 EST Subject: Helium - breathing it -
After the wonderful explanation by Dr. Paul and excellent commentary on the
human acoustical formant by Ron Wong I can only add a short footnote:
BE SURE THE HELIUM IS BREATHABLE! Helium on the planet earth comes from deep
wells in Texas and contains considerable amounts of Radon gas as well as
other impurities. While Radon is also one of the noble gases, it is radioactive
and is associated with a high risk of cancer. The Helium that is used in
balloons and for welding purposes still has traces of the Radon in it. The Helium
that is used by deep sea divers and for other scientific purposes is purified
in gas centrifuges and fractional distillation to remove all other gases. It
is the later that should be used for doing the "Donald Duck" voice. There is
a reason that some Helium cylinders are labeled "Not for Breathing;" but this
label is missing from many of the balloon canisters that aren't fit for human
consumption.
Gong Xi Fa Cai
Al Sefl
Who rises because he's full of hot air and not Helium...
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