Helium

I just learned a few days ago that we are actually running out of helium! It is actually a pretty big deal and I am surprised that it hasn't been covered by the news more. I guess it isn't as important or worth as much as oil, but it has some very important uses. Helium is used to cool MRI machines. It is used in large solar telescopes, and it is mixed into air tanks for deep sea diving. One of the largest helium reserves is actually in the united states.  It is in Amarillo Texas. But a law was created in 1996 which stated that the united states had to sell all of its helium by 2015. This has caused the price of helium to go way down, even though it should really cost a lot more due to how much we have left. Helium isn't renewable because it is created by radioactive decay. After helium is used, it is lost in the atmosphere. It stays on earth but it would cost a lot of money to extract it from the air. According to Robert Richardson, the scientist who is trying to raise awareness about this problem, a birthday balloon should actually be worth at least $100 for its helium content! He says that at the rate it is being sold and used, we could run out of helium within forty years. So don't take your party balloons for granted. You may not be able to buy them for a quarter in a few years! 

sources: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/why-the-world-is-running-out-of-helium-2059357.html

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/08/25/nobel-prize-winner-warns-world-were-running-out-of-helium/