Helium (He) is an inert gas and a member of the rare gas family. At room temperature and atmospheric pressure, helium is a colorless, odorless and tasteless. Gaseous helium is commonly shipped in cylinders at pressures between 2,000 to 2,600 psi. In liquid form, helium is shipped in vacuum insulated non-metal (aluminum) dewars at very low pressure. Helium is: a simple asphyxiant, colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, nonflammable, and lighter than air.

Cryogenic helium is used extensively in laboratories and MRI units at hospitals. Helium is also used extensively in the welding industry as an inert shielding gas for arc welding. It is also used in mixtures of neon and argon for electronic tubes and the familiar neon signs.

Helium is also used in laboratories as a leak detector, as a temperature standard, and as a carrier gas in gas chromatography . Mixtures of helium and oxygen are used as a diving gas for divers working under high pressures (created during low-depth diving).

Use the chart below to estimate the required cylinder size needed for balloon filling capacity.