BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!

Subject: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 01:32 PM

Submitted without comment, this little tidbit lifted from Joe Offer's hometown paper, the Sacremento Bee:


City falls victim to Internet hoax, considers banning items made with water

The Associated Press
Last Updated 11:41 a.m. PST Monday, March 15, 2004
ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (AP) - City officials were so concerned about the potentially dangerous properties of dihydrogen monoxide that they considered banning foam cups after they learned the chemical was used in their production.

Then they learned that dihydrogen monoxide - H2O for short - is the scientific term for water.

        
"It's embarrassing," said City Manager David J. Norman. "We had a paralegal who did bad research."

The paralegal apparently fell victim to one of the many official looking Web sites that have been put up by pranksters to describe dihydrogen monoxide as "an odorless, tasteless chemical" that can be deadly if accidentally inhaled.

As a result, the City Council of this Orange County suburb had been scheduled to vote next week on a proposed law that would have banned the use of foam containers at city-sponsored events. Among the reasons given for the ban were that they were made with a substance that could "threaten human health and safety."

The measure has been pulled from the agenda, although Norman said the city may still eventually ban foam cups.

"Our main concern is with the Aliso Creek watershed," Norman said. "If you get Styrofoam into the water and it breaks apart, it's virtually impossible to clean up."

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 01:38 PM

dihydrogen monoxide as "an odorless, tasteless chemical" that can be deadly if accidentally inhaled

not that the statement isn't true. It (water) is also one of the most corrosive chemicals known to humanity.

Maybe they just got confused and wanted to ban it because they thought they were discussing BI-hydrogen oxide?

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 02:23 PM

MSDS: Dihydrogen Monoxide
Dihydrogen monoxide (also known as hydric acid) is responsible for injury, death, and property damage all over the world. Visit the Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division online at www.dhmo.org, or send email to [e-mail] for more information.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET FOR   DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRODUCT NAME:    DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE
FORMULA WT:          18.00
CAS NO.:          07732-18-5
NIOSH/RTECS NO.: ZC0110000
COMMON SYNONYMS: DIHYDROGEN OXIDE, HYDRIC ACID
PRODUCT CODES:    4218,4219
EFFECTIVE: 05/30/86   
REVISION #01   

LABORATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

SAFETY GLASSES; LAB COAT

PRECAUTIONARY LABEL STATEMENTS

STORAGE: KEEP IN TIGHTLY CLOSED CONTAINER.

BOILING POINT:      100 C (   212 F)          VAPOR PRESSURE(MM HG): 17.5

MELTING POINT:       0 C (    32 F)          VAPOR DENSITY(AIR=1): N/A

SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.00                      EVAPORATION RATE:      N/A

SOLUBILITY(H2O):    COMPLETE (IN ALL PROPORTIONS) % VOLATILES BY VOLUME: 100

APPEARANCE & ODOR: ODORLESS, CLEAR COLORLESS LIQUID.

TOXICITY:   LD50 (IPR-MOUSE)(G/KG)          - 190
            LD50 (IV-MOUSE) (MG/KG)         - 25

DISPOSAL PROCEDURE
DISPOSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.

SAF-T-DATA(TM) STORAGE COLOR CODE:    ORANGE (GENERAL STORAGE)

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
KEEP CONTAINER TIGHTLY CLOSED. SUITABLE FOR ANY GENERAL CHEMICAL STORAGE   AREA. DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE IS CONSIDERED A NON-REGULATED PRODUCT, BUT   REACTS VIGOROUSLY WITH SOME MATERIALS. THESE INCLUDE SODIUM, POTASSIUM AND OTHER ALKALI METALS; ELEMENTAL FLUORINE; AND STRONG DEHYDRATING AGENTS SUCH AS SULFURIC ACID. IT FORMS EXPLOSIVE GASES WITH CALCIUM CARBIDE.
AVOID CONTACT WITH ALL MATERIALS UNTIL INVESTIGATION SHOWS SUBSTANCE IS COMPATIBLE. EXPANDS SIGNIFICANTLY UPON FREEZING. DO NOT STORE IN RIGID CONTAINER AND PROTECT FROM FREEZING.

DOMESTIC (D.O.T.)

PROPER SHIPPING NAME    CHEMICALS, N.O.S. (NON-REGULATED)

INTERNATIONAL (I.M.O.)

PROPER SHIPPING NAME    CHEMICALS, N.O.S. (NON-REGULATED)

This and other data about this dangerous chemical can be found here.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 02:40 PM

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.

Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.

Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits.

Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.

Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.

Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Amos
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 02:50 PM

I think we're being unfair, fellas. It is also a critical component in all major life processes on the planet.

A

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 02:57 PM

jeez Amos - bring TECHNICALITIES into it!

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Amergin
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 03:00 PM

snopes had an interesting article that was related to this:

DHMO

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: open mike
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 03:03 PM

styrofoam, OTOH, uses Chlorinated Flouro Carbons in production and containers with CFC are on my "avoid" list. I prefer to support food
establishments that package thier products in paper , aluminum foil
or other non-plastic containers.

BTW, have you heard of the experiment that has been done with a
styrofoam cup in a submarine? apparantly when exposed to pressures
such as found at great depths, the cup will shrink to the size of a thimble, as the "bubbles" of foam wil be compressed. It seems some
musician (Michael Hedges?) received such a cup which had a message
written on it and was taken "down below" and the writing had to be
read with a magnifying glass!!

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: open mike
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 03:10 PM

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Chlorinated%20fluorocarbons
http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/tac/factshts/chlorflo.pdf

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 03:33 PM

Well, I've just discovered that hydric acid has been found in the water supply here! I'm going to found a grassroots movement to have it removed.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: artbrooks
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 03:51 PM

It would appear that this is very much a regional issue. While the amount of DHMO in the environment is seen as excessive in some parts of the world, in others it is scarce at the best of times. The natural supply of dihydrogen monoxide fluctuates significantly, and there have been a great number of scientific studies that indicate that this occurs in 3, 7 and 22 years cycles, and that there is some correspondence with the Pacific Ocean weather systems commonly referred to as El Nino and La Nina. When the nadirs of these cycles correspond, as they do at present in the American Southwest, the phenomenom popularly known as 'drought' occurs.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 04:00 PM

on the other hand - the Marianas trench has an overabundence of DHMO present - though contaminated with Na2Cl2

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Metchosin
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 04:01 PM

what was also neglected from the description of dihydrogen monoxide is that it is a solvent, in fact, the universal solvent. You can dissolve more stuff with water than any other solvent.

An acquaintance ran into great difficulty after reading that, if he drank copious amounts, he could flush his system and prevent contracting his wife's bout of influenza. He drank gallons, which so severely disrupted his electrolyte balance, he went off his stick and had to be subdued and led naked from his house in handcuffs, by the local constabulary. He was hospitalized for a few days until his system could recover. He was very embarrassed but he didn't get the flu.

All things in moderation. They have recently updated Canada's health guidlines from recommending that you drink 8 glasses of water daily, to recommending only that you drink water when you feel thirsty.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Metchosin
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 04:07 PM

and wouldn't you just know it......he is a folk musician of considerable talent.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 05:57 PM

The bit about DHM is an old. old joke(way older than that kid' s science project)--what it not a joke is that a number of elected officials almost passed a law against it--I was sort of hoping you'd react to that---

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: artbrooks
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 06:20 PM

Come on, M.Ted, this is Southern California. Nothing should be surprising.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 06:49 PM

If they're looking for a protest song to help with the campaign, my fellow filker Mark Mandel has penned The DHMO Song

-- Gary

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Strick
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 06:59 PM

This one's way to easy to take a cheap shot at. Assume I did.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 02:44 AM

Don't drink DHMO, fish fuck in it.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: ced2
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 04:22 AM

I coca-cola have had to start withdrawing their bottled H20 here in the UK as it contains a high level of a carcinogen producing bromate.
Perhaps this should be a warning not to drink water that has been passed by such bodies.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 06:35 AM

They ought to withdraw that other muck they sell, coca-cola I believe they call it, I call it shite.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: ced2
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 08:33 AM

How about either di-deuteriun mono-oxide D20 or deuterium hydrogen oxide DHO (this is not to be confused with deuterium alochol
D(HO) .... both lie heavy on the stomach and have a tendancy to make one glow in the dark when passing under high voltage power cables!!! The latter does the same but there may be the additional side effect of being pissed!

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: JennyO
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 08:33 AM

Perhaps this should be a warning not to drink water that has been passed by such bodies.

I don't fancy drinking water that has been passed by ANY bodies.

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Amos
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 08:49 AM

After umpty-billion years I think you'd be hard put to find water that hadn't been passed by various bodies. Better get used to it -- it's all rentals, and all second-hand.

A

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 11:00 AM

Like the man said, you don't buy beer, you only rent it.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: ced2
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 11:02 AM

Well Eric you seem to rent quite a bit, might do the same myself if I wasn't driving!

Subject: RE: BS: City moves to ban dihydrogen monoxide!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 11:15 AM

oh, I KNOW it's a problem....
I drank Scotch & DHMO...I got drunk.
I drank Rye & DHMO...I got drunk...
I drank Bourbon & DHMO...I got drunk...
what's the common ingredient? Right! Avoid it!