Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO): Scam Warning.

Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO).

I have received several forwarded emails about this, seemingly, dangerous substance recently. Some were sent by persons who realise what it is about and pass it on for a laugh, Others were sent by genuinely concerned people who are trying to spread the word about this "single most prevalent of all chemicals that can be dangerous to human life". Emails may contain some or all of the following:

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year.

What are the dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide?

Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage.
Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance.
For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death.
Dihydrogen Monoxide Facts
Dihydrogen monoxide:

is also known as hydric acid, and is the major component of acid rain.
contributes to the Greenhouse Effect.
may cause severe burns.
contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Dihydrogen Monoxide Alerts
Contamination is reaching epidemic proportions!
Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. But the pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. In the midwest alone DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage.
Dihydrogen Monoxide Uses

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:

as an industrial solvent and coolant.
in nuclear power plants.
in the production of styrofoam.
as a fire retardant.
in many forms of cruel animal research.
in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
as an additive in certain junk-foods and other food products.

Stop the horror - Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide

Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer!

And so it goes on.

There is no need to Ban DHMO! (In fact you would die if it were no longer available!)

Scaremongering is all it is. I will explain:

Dihydrogen Monoxide is: Hydrogen, Hydrogen, Oxygen. Or H₂O. More commonly known as water!

Indeed all of the above is true but the way it is written (and more besides) is in such a way to scare people who are not well grounded in science (i.e. most of the population of the world).

Just ignore any emails that come your way about this or treat as a joke. If you do send it on to anyone for a laugh please follow up with a note of explanation or it will go around again and again!

Warnings Index. Or Sitemap.