Spreading Myths Threaten Local Balloon Retailers
By <Insert balloon retailer name>

Recent news coverage — closer to gossip and rumor — about balloons and their environmental impact has contained factual errors and erroneous informaton that needs to be corrected. To date, there is no documented evidence to support claims that seek to denigrate a product that’s been bringing joy to children and adults since 1933.

Unfortunately, as is so often the case with misinformation and rumor, the attack’s impact is far wider than the immediate target: balloon releases. The unwarranted negative impact is spreading and effecting people’s livelihoods. Many balloon retailers in our area — all of whom are small business owners — are beginning to fear for their economic lives.

Consequently, it’s very important to set the record straight — balloons are not harmful to sea animals and they are not a significant litter problem.

Absolutely no scientific evidence exists that proves a latex balloon has ever caused the death of a single sea animal. The balloon industry and independent investigators have spent considerable time researching official records and tracking down the facts surrounding these claims. Not one death report or allegation has held up.

Only latex balloons are used for special event releases — 100 percent organic and 100 percent biodegradable. Produced from rubber tree sap, latex decomposes at the same rate as an oak leaf under similar conditions.

When balloons are released, most rise about five miles into the atmosphere, freeze and burst into small, spaghetti-like pieces. These pieces float back to earth, scattering over a wide area at a rate of approximately one balloon per 15 square miles — that’s certainly insignificant.

This is borne out by the annual Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) Coastal Cleanup campaign. In 1997, more than 175,000 volunteers collected 3.5 million pounds of trash and debris from 7,100 miles along America’s rivers, beaches and underwater areas in 53 state and territories. The CMC’s “Dirty Dozen” included cigarette butts (1.3 million), food bags and wrappers (300,420), glass beverage bottles (199,461) and metal beverage cans (164,548). Balloons (30, 324 pieces) came in 37th on the list — a mere .51 percent of the total.

People who earn their living selling balloons and decorating services are interested in protecting sea life and preserving the environment. We try to create awareness and educate consumers about proper balloon use and disposal through conspicuous labeling and point-of-purchase information.

In doing so, we hope to stop the spread of unfounded rumors and misinformation which unjustifiably maligns a product that has been helping spread joy among millions of Americans for more than 65 years.

<Insert your name and a very brief description of yourself and your affiliation as you would like it to appear at the end of the piece>