Is helium gas a poison gas?

Answer 1

AnswerIt all depends on what it is used for, but in most circumstances it is considered one of the Noble gases, which means that it is inert and unable to combine in an ionic or covalent bond with another atom. So, therefore, the most appropriate answer is: No. It is not dangerous.

The only possible danger would be if you were inside a helium balloon and then died of suffocation. But, it would not be the helium that killed you, but the lack of oxygen.

So, again, helium, itself, is not dangerous.

Answer 2

Helium itself is non-toxic, however, if you breathe nothing but helium, you are not getting oxygen. Inhaling a few puffs from a balloon is not dangerous, but continuing to do so without taking breaks to breath air inbetween can be dangerous. People have died from asphyxiation (smothering) by helium, but this could happen with any gas that displaces oxygen from the air you breath.

Answer 3

Potentially. While helium is inert and non-toxic, it does take up space just like any other gas. If too much of it forced into an area, it can displace oxygen, which is basically just pushing it out of the way. Breathing air without oxygen, regardless of what other gasses are present, can be fatal in minutes.

Answer 4

Kinda-sorta.

Helium itself is not dangerous. It's rated as one of the noble gasses and don't readily react with anything.

But if you're inhaling only helium, then you're not getting any oxygen. And humans need oxygen to survive. Basically you'll suffocate if all you breathe is helium.

It'll be a bit like only eating Styrofoam or swallowing glass beads. It'll fill your belly but won't provide any nutrition.

Answer 5

Helium is not Poisonous. In actual fact it is a Noble Gas, and thus totally unreactive. Divers use Helium in a mix when diving very deep, thus proving that it isn't poisonous. Breathing Helium alone is dangerous, as it excludes oxygen from your lungs and you can "drown" in the Helium. Helium is not Poisonous. In actual fact it is a Noble Gas, and thus totally unreactive. Divers use Helium in a mix when diving very deep, thus proving that it isn't poisonous. Breathing Helium alone is dangerous, as it excludes oxygen from your lungs and you can "drown" in the Helium.

Answer 6

Helium is an inert gas that does not enter into any chemical reactions. A a consequence a pure helium atmosphere will kill you almost immediately (in part because the partial pressure of oxygen is zero and all oxygen in your blood will be removed very quickly). However helium oxygen mixtures are used as breathing sir for deep sea divers to prevent harm from nitrogen narcosis and every child has inhaled the gas from a helium balloon to produce a high squeaky voice without harm.

Answer 7

Helium is not seriously dangerous to humans as long as it isn't inhaled in large quantities.

Answer 8

Helium does not have any harmful effects in and of itself. Breathing pure helium is dangerous however, as then you are not breathing oxygen, but this would apply to any gas.

Answer 9

helium is not that dangerous to inhale it just makes your voice turn a high pitch sueaky voice.

Answer 10

no

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Not really. I mean, if you where stuck in a giant helium filled object on the other hand (as on Worlds Dumbest) you would slowly suffocate yourself.