Please could I be allowed to reassure people following the two messages regarding our balloon release?

The release took place following the very strict code of conduct issued by NABAS (the Balloon Association).

In accordance with this, the balloons released were latex, which is both biodegradable and non-toxic, being the product of the rubber sap tree.

Helium was used to fully inflate the balloons, meaning that as the balloon rises to a height estimated at five miles, the gas expands until the balloon becomes brittle and shatters into small fragments.

Problems with balloons being ingested by sea animals have arisen (according to research) if partially inflated balloons are swallowed and we fully inflated all the balloons we released.

No plastic valves were used — all the balloons were hand tied.

We used only paper for the tags, again following the guidelines, which were slipped over the tied balloon ends with no strings attached to prevent any problems with entanglement.

I hope that this does reassure people and that fears expressed have been alleviated.

Kim Alderson, University of Bolton