Element of the Week - Helium Facts

Did you know the Hindenburg airship had been designed to use helium, but was forced to use hydrogen as a result of a US military embargo against Germany? At that time, most of the world's helium was held by the US, which produced it by extracting the element from natural gas.

Did you know it's hazardous to breathe in helium to raise the pitch of your voice? While helium is non-toxic, the gas from balloons or canisters may contain toxic impurities, including other gases and vaporized oil. Breathing helium may result in asphyxiation. Breathing helium or any compressed gas directly from the pressurized cylinder is a good way to blow out your lungs and die.

Here are some other helium facts for you. Check the full listing for helium if you would like additional helium information.

1. The atomic number of helium is 2, meaning each atom of helium has two protons.

2. Helium has the lowest melting point and boiling point of the elements, so it only exists as a gas except under extreme conditions.

3. Helium is the second-lightest element.

4. Helium is the second-most abundant element in the universe, though it is much less common on Earth.

5. Helium is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and inert.

6. Most helium is obtained by extracting it from natural gas.

7. Helium is the second-least reactive noble gas (after neon).

8. Helium is monatomic under standard conditions.

9. Inhaling helium temporarily raises the pitch of a person's voice. Though helium is non-toxic, breathing it can result in asphyxiation due to oxygen deprivation.

10. Evidence of helium's existence came from observation of a yellow spectral line from the sun.