Data on Import and Use of Helium in Singapore

Debated in Parliament on 2 Nov 2021.

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Shahira Abdullah asked for annual helium import figures, main uses, and how Singapore discourages unnecessary helium use given its rarity and limited global supply.
The Minister, Gan Kim Yong, stated that helium import data is aggregated with other rare gases, making specific annual tracking impossible.
Helium is primarily used in Singapore for cooling semiconductor components and MRI machine magnets, as well as in some healthcare devices like intra-aortic balloon pumps.
The Minister noted that firms naturally minimize helium waste to reduce costs, serving as a discouragement against unnecessary use.

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Shahira Abdullah

Dr Shahira Abdullah asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how much helium is imported into Singapore every year; (b) what are the main uses of helium in Singapore; and (c) how the unnecessary use of helium is discouraged in Singapore given that helium is a rare resource with medical uses that will be exhausted in less than 200 years.

Gan Kim Yong

Data on helium imports is aggregated with “other rare gases”. As such, the Government is unable to track the specific amount of helium that is imported into Singapore each year.

Helium is used to cool semiconductor components and the superconducting magnet in magnetic resonant imaging machines due to its high thermal conductivity. Helium is also used in some healthcare settings, such as to inflate intra-aortic balloon pumps. Firms have a natural incentive to not waste helium to minimise costs.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Shahira Abdullah asked for annual helium import figures, main uses, and how Singapore discourages unnecessary helium use given its rarity and limited global supply.
The Minister, Gan Kim Yong, stated that helium import data is aggregated with other rare gases, making specific annual tracking impossible.
Helium is primarily used in Singapore for cooling semiconductor components and MRI machine magnets, as well as in some healthcare devices like intra-aortic balloon pumps.
The Minister noted that firms naturally minimize helium waste to reduce costs, serving as a discouragement against unnecessary use.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Data on Import and Use of Helium in Singapore | PAPERCUTS

Data on Import and Use of Helium in Singapore

Debated in Parliament on 2 Nov 2021.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Shahira Abdullah asked for annual helium import figures, main uses, and how Singapore discourages unnecessary helium use given its rarity and limited global supply.
The Minister, Gan Kim Yong, stated that helium import data is aggregated with other rare gases, making specific annual tracking impossible.
Helium is primarily used in Singapore for cooling semiconductor components and MRI machine magnets, as well as in some healthcare devices like intra-aortic balloon pumps.
The Minister noted that firms naturally minimize helium waste to reduce costs, serving as a discouragement against unnecessary use.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Shahira Abdullah

Gan Kim Yong

Data on helium imports is aggregated with “other rare gases”. As such, the Government is unable to track the specific amount of helium that is imported into Singapore each year.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Shahira Abdullah asked for annual helium import figures, main uses, and how Singapore discourages unnecessary helium use given its rarity and limited global supply.
The Minister, Gan Kim Yong, stated that helium import data is aggregated with other rare gases, making specific annual tracking impossible.
Helium is primarily used in Singapore for cooling semiconductor components and MRI machine magnets, as well as in some healthcare devices like intra-aortic balloon pumps.
The Minister noted that firms naturally minimize helium waste to reduce costs, serving as a discouragement against unnecessary use.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Data on Import and Use of Helium in Singapore

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Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Shahira Abdullah

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified

Data on Import and Use of Helium in Singapore

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Shahira Abdullah

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified