Here’s another favorite from my collection. This is a teasing hoax that dates back to at least 1989. It’s aimed at people who don’t know much about chemistry or are actively afraid of anything that smacks of “chemistry” (or sometimes even science). You can read about it on Wikipedia, or you can visit the official site. (Yes, it’s a hoax with an official website.)
I’ve seen an episode of the Penn & Teller cable show, Bullshit, where they send people out with petitions about DHMO to see how many signatures they could get. Many people accept it as dangerous without really understanding it.
It speaks to an interesting combination of fear and willingness to trust (or not) information based on certain attributes!
The Invisible Killer
Dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year.
Most of these deaths are caused by inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possible 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 hydroxyl acid and is a major component of acid rain
- Contributes to the greenhouse effect
- 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
Contamination is reaching epidemic proportions!
Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in every stream, lake and reservoir in America today.
The pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice.
In the midwest alone DHMO has caused millions of dollars in property damage.
Despite the known dangers, 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
Waste DHMO is allowed to pollute our precious lakes, rivers, streams and the ocean itself.
The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer!
The horror must be stopped!
The American government has refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to it’s “importance to the economic health of this nation.”
In fact, the navy and other military organizations are conducting experiments with DHMO, and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and utilize it during warfare situations.
Hundreds of military research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network.
Many store large quantities for later use!
It’s not too late!
Act NOW to prevent further contamination. Find out more about this dangerous chemical. What you don’t know can hurt you and others throughout the world.
Visit the DHMO website at:
Logos con carne 
August 4th, 2011 at 7:24 am
This article and hoax goes to show how gullible, uninformed and easily persuaded the general population is. But maybe it suggests that we (as the unintelligible population) should keep out of matters that are beyond us. Maybe we should just have smart people make all the decisions in our lives and just be happy with what they decide. Maybe be less involved for fear of being duped.
August 4th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Well, of course, it’s an American Right to be involved in things without really knowing anything about them. I know a few people deeply opposed to any “genetically modified” product…. I assume means they don’t eat corn or own dogs. It would be nice, though, if we had the powerful pair of (a) trustworthy experts and (b) trusting those experts. Alternately, there’s always education in some basic fundamentals, such as logic, history, literature, basic math and science. It’s surprising how a little foundation goes a long way. Chemistry is way down the list of sciences I know diddly-squat about, but even I can see ‘dihydrogen monoxide’ and think, “two hydrogens and one oxygen…. hey, wait a minute!…”