By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – At one of the busiest times of year for balloon vendors, suppliers are limiting sales to distributors who, in turn, are rationing what they sell to florists, party stores and supermarkets.
As a result, retailers have to watch their supplies closely. Some are limiting the number or balloons per customer and using fewer balloons in their displays.
The shortage dates back to last fall. Several helium plants in Qatar and Algeria failed to open when expected. And several US plants were temporarily closed because of storm damage or for maintenance.
In addition to its fun use in balloons, helium is used in its liquefied form to cool superconducting magnets in MRI machines, and they come first.
The helium supply dropped to its lowest point -- 50 percent of normal levels -- in November. The supply will likely be back to normal by March or April.