C&E News, in the Feb 1, 2010 issue, page 24, reports that the National Research Council has recommended to Congress that the Federal Helium Reserve needs to be better managed or the U.S. risks becoming a helium importer by 2020 – 2025. The NRC also called for assistance for scientists to better conserve helium as well as in purchasing the element.
At US$ 400 – 500 per A-size (50-L) tank, GC labs will benefit from any price decrease. But, hydrogen will remain the best alternative and may in the near future become the preferred GC carrier gas. This of course will require users to overcome any fears they have about using hydrogen, which is only a matter of education and deployment of suitable H2 generators plus hydrogen detectors if required.