So apart from balloons, what do people use helium for?

[KittenKong]

On my usual walk home, I have just realised that quite frequently I see a helium canister left next the bins of a block of flats I pass (the large bins are left on a blocked off front door step and larger items are left alongside. About the size of a basketball - and it’s not the same one - and sometimes there is two. Maybe twice a week.

It can’t be balloons can it? 🎈

To make their voice squeaky.

Keeping MRI scanners the right temperature, of we run of out helium, no more MRIs

But that doesn't answer your op, sorry 😁

It may be that somebody in the flats has a small business selling birthday balloon displays or decorating for weddings. I say 'small business' because the more professional events firms get their helium - if they use it - in larger canisters.

Or it could be that somebody has a child who really, really, really likes balloons.

Inhaled for (apparently) a legal high, but it didn't work for me.

They could also be a baker? I remember seeing a kit to make your own squirty cream that involved little helium canisters.

There are always canisters littering the streets where I live - it's used for some kind of high I think.

Probably not helium - more likely nitrous oxide. People use it for a temporary high!

I’m very nosey! I doubt it’s a business - They are all small 1 bed and studio flats (short let types) it is near a hospital - can see them having an MRI in a flat though (and yes, that’s why I have refused to buy helium balloons for years now... we don’t need them!)

It says helium in the side (I had a nosey today)!

@Camomila

They could also be a baker? I remember seeing a kit to make your own squirty cream that involved little helium canisters.

They aren’t helium! That’s nitrous oxide.

I e just realised I e stopped seeing them. They used to be everywhere a couple of years ago but nit noticed them in a while. Looks like that fad is over with round our way!

They aren’t helium! That’s nitrous oxide.

Ah fair enough. I just remembered the little canisters.

The canisters you're seeing aren't helium they're nitrous oxide

www.drugwise.org.uk/nitrous-oxide/

@KittenKong

I’m very nosey! I doubt it’s a business - They are all small 1 bed and studio flats (short let types) it is near a hospital - can see them having an MRI in a flat though (and yes, that’s why I have refused to buy helium balloons for years now... we don’t need them!)

Why can't they run a business from a flat?

But you say it's the size of a basket ball, not a little cannister?

And it's definitely helium?

Some sort of home medical device?

Some scuba divers use helium, but that's associated with quite a specialised type of diving on a rebreather, but I can't see them leaving old cannisters out by the bins, because you'd normally get it refilled.

The little cannisters also often have carbon dioxide in them and cyclists use them to inflate tyres. Or they're also used to fill inflatables used in scuba diving. Plus they're in life jackets.

@AlanisMorningShed

Keeping MRI scanners the right temperature, of we run of out helium, no more MRIs

This is thrown out every time and it’s wrong

The helium used for balloons are not the same as the one used for MRI’s

And yes to getting high. Teens use it for that a lot

You use a helium mix for balloons not pure helium. It would say balloon mix or balloon helium.

So - the one I saw today looked quite like this one (apparently blows up 50 balloons). I would assume they aren’t running a balloon business from their flat - wouldn’t you need a bit of space for that?

I hadn’t really looked at them before (it’s in the rubbish after all!) and they had reminded me of the large gas canisters you used to get for caravans/ heaters back in the day. I only really looked more closely at it today.

They could well be running a business, those balloon arch things or something similar.

I’m dubious... they are teeny flats (mostly short lets). And the last time I decided it would be a good idea to blow up 60 balloons... it was like being in an adult ball pit (we are in a small flat too).

Yes I think you could make balloon arches as a small side business from a flat, wrangle them into the back of your car and drive them to a party. But do balloon arches have helium in them?

I don’t suppose they’d need to these day - you can get these blow up metallic ones now can’t you?

Maybe they fill the balloons when they get to the venue?

It's a disposable helium cylinder apparently.

Maybe they leave them out for the scrap metal fairies?

@Soubriquet
The helium used for balloons are not the same as the one used for MRI’s

Which other form of chemical element number 2 is it then?