Full Version: Dangerous Chemical Ignored.
I am talking about Dihydrogen Monoxide.
This is from a fact sheet on Dihydrogen Monoxide:
Questions for debate:
1. Should the EPA step in and do something about Dihydrogen monoxide?
2. Why is there so little press on Dihydrogen monoxide
Moved to Casual Conversation - please keep the other forum debates serious. - Jaime
This is from a fact sheet on Dihydrogen Monoxide:
QUOTE
Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. 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:
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.
Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. The pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage in the midwest, and recently California.
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.
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.
Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. The pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage in the midwest, and recently California.
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.
Questions for debate:
1. Should the EPA step in and do something about Dihydrogen monoxide?
2. Why is there so little press on Dihydrogen monoxide
Moved to Casual Conversation - please keep the other forum debates serious. - Jaime
This is a nice bit of satire. 
Of course, this highly dangerous substance is better known as "water."
1. Should the EPA step in and do something about Dihydrogen monoxide?
Obviously the point here is to compare water with carbon dioxide. Both are natural substances, both are required for life on Earth, both are safe under normal circumstances, and so on.
I would suggest that the EPA would only be involved in controlling the amount of water in the environment if it were somehow changing in a way which could have negative consequences. This seems extremely unlikely. However, in some kind of science fiction scenario where the level of water in the atmosphere went greatly up or greatly down, it might be appropriate.
There is evidence that the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is going up sharply. The big debate, of course, is what effect this will have on the environment. I'm not going to get into the debate over global warming, but I think it is very evident that such a rise in carbon dioxide must have some effect on the plant life on this planet. Maybe good (higher crop yields) and maybe not good (higher pollen levels) and most likely a mixture of both. In any case, it's a good idea to monitor such levels.
Link
2. Why is there so little press on Dihydrogen monoxide?
Because there is no evidence that I know about that the level of water is rising or falling in the environment. There are, of course, reports on local changes in water; desertification and flooding, for example. If there were a major change in the amount of water on this planet, that would get a lot of press.
In any case, thanks for the laughs.
Of course, this highly dangerous substance is better known as "water."
1. Should the EPA step in and do something about Dihydrogen monoxide?
Obviously the point here is to compare water with carbon dioxide. Both are natural substances, both are required for life on Earth, both are safe under normal circumstances, and so on.
I would suggest that the EPA would only be involved in controlling the amount of water in the environment if it were somehow changing in a way which could have negative consequences. This seems extremely unlikely. However, in some kind of science fiction scenario where the level of water in the atmosphere went greatly up or greatly down, it might be appropriate.
There is evidence that the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is going up sharply. The big debate, of course, is what effect this will have on the environment. I'm not going to get into the debate over global warming, but I think it is very evident that such a rise in carbon dioxide must have some effect on the plant life on this planet. Maybe good (higher crop yields) and maybe not good (higher pollen levels) and most likely a mixture of both. In any case, it's a good idea to monitor such levels.
Link
2. Why is there so little press on Dihydrogen monoxide?
Because there is no evidence that I know about that the level of water is rising or falling in the environment. There are, of course, reports on local changes in water; desertification and flooding, for example. If there were a major change in the amount of water on this planet, that would get a lot of press.
In any case, thanks for the laughs.
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