21 January 2014

Dihydrogen monoxide explained

From the Dihydrogen Monoxide FAQ:

What is Dihydrogen Monoxide?

Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also referred to by some as Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydrogen Hydroxide, Hydronium Hydroxide, or simply Hydric acid. Its basis is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, a species shown to mutate DNA, denature proteins, disrupt cell membranes, and chemically alter critical neurotransmitters. The atomic components of DHMO are found in a number of caustic, explosive and poisonous compounds such as Sulfuric Acid, Nitroglycerine and Ethyl Alcohol...

What are some of the dangers associated with DHMO?

Each year, Dihydrogen Monoxide is a known causative component in many thousands of deaths and is a major contributor to millions upon millions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:
  • Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.
  • Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.
  • Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.
  • DHMO is a major component of acid rain.
  • Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.
  • Contributes to soil erosion.
  • Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.
More information at the link.

8 comments:

  1. I like your abridged version. It makes the point quicker and I thought was funnier for it.

    That said the Al Qaeda link in the original was pretty good.

    Well done.

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  2. If the dihydrogen monoxide is yellow, don't drink it.

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  3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydrogen_Monoxide

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  4. OMG! Chemicals!!! Tangentially related "ingredients" of organic food. Exempli Gratia : Banana.

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  5. I don't care what you say! I drink lots of dihydrogen monoxide, bathe in it, use it in cooking and clean up, and even offer it to my beloved grandchildren and granddogs.

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  6. Clearly a contributor to the demise of the trifidae wyndhamas. The regulators must be blind.

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  7. A science teacher of mine in junior high brought this up as a lesson in critical thinking. Only one of my classmates got it.

    ReplyDelete

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