DHMO: Oderless, Colorless, Tasteless, Traceless; The Silent Killer

David Hunt

Mr. Oates

English 12 block 1

October 9, 2014

Oderless, Colorless, Tasteless, Traceless; The Silent Killer

Dihydrogen Monoxide. You’ve probably never even heard of it, but last year it killed almost as many people in the U.S. as alcohol poisoning did. DHMO is an odorless and colorless chemical fluid  that can have incredibly destructive effects on the environment, as well as the human body and in severe cases, death. For those reasons, I propose the chemical compound known as Dihydrogen Monoxide be banned or at least safely regulated in all public usage.

Although, some less informed individuals may argue that the potential benefits associated with DHMO outweigh the dangers.  They also will be quick to point to arbitrary scientific studies to support these arguments.  One of the biggest points DHMO supporters rely on is the noted “performance enhancing side effects”(Brighest), and its widespread usage among almost all professional basketball, soccer, football, baseball leagues. It is also believed that controlled portions of DHMO can be beneficial to skin, kidneys, and parts of digestion.

Despite some truth in DHMOs performance enhancing effects,  I can assure you most of these so called ‘facts‘ are taken out of context and are intentionally misleading. Any real benefits from DHMO are temporary and generally overrated. Just like unnecessary multivitamins tablets, your body uses only a portion of the DHMO that is ingested and discards the rest through urination (Kenam). The way DHMO enhances muscle performance is through a process that requires electrolytes and it only acts as a catalyst to improve muscle electrical signals, it’s not the main element of the muscle contraction.

Even with the necessary precautions taken to avoid overdose, the benefits hardly seem worth the immense health risk that comes with DHMO. As for DHMOs benefits to the skin, One of the main chemicals in any hot tub is DHMO, and anyone could tell you how pruny their skin looks after even relatively short amounts of exposure to the chemical. Not only that, but prolonged exposure to DHMO on skin can cause severe tissue damage and can lead to fungal infections as well as dehydration. Not only can DHMO cause severe ailments, but Dihydrogen Monoxide has been known to cause death from it’s inhalation, even in minute quantities. Dihydrogen Monoxide has proven to be helpful to the kidney in specific situations; although,  it can be life threatening especially in cases of patients with kidney failure undergoing dialysis treatment. Overdose during dialysis may lead to “death from hypertension and sometimes heart failure”.

Besides DHMO’s potentially life threatening properties,  it is also to blame for many of the worlds weather related disasters; including tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, cyclones and acid rain. Other environmental effects of DHMO come from its natural corrosive power, especially when combined with sodium and other minerals, to cause erosion, Mudslides and avalanches (Parker). Although DHMO is a naturally occurring substance, oftentimes, these changes to the environment are detrimental to a species health and habitat. In 2010, a flood hit china that caused over “2.5 million people were affected and thousands died”(Parker). Not only were massive civilian casualties caused by DHMO, but the damage to animal ecosystems was catastrophic, including some endangered species like the panda. Many DiHydrogen Monoxide induced storms have also caused countless automobile accidents due to the way DHMO negatively impacts braking systems in cars. DHMO has been a danger to humankind since the very beginning of our existence. Historically, It’s been used in Nazi internment camps, monarchies, nuclear power plants, both biological and chemical weapons, and even schools. DHMO is also found in many shampoos, multipurpose cleaning sprays, vegetable preservatives, and most liquid based products including coffee, juices, alcohol, and unpurified tap water(Kenam). It’s literally everywhere. It is hard to believe the lack of awareness in many citizens despite the overwhelming facts about the dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide. There is still an incredible 34% of people unaware or misinformed about the chemical’s alarmingly toxic properties. The other 66% firmly support a ban on DHMO in public usage (Brighest).

Despite danger’s of DHMO being so evident, currently the government refuses to take action towards the safety of it’s citizens. With endless environmental and safety hazards associated with DHMO, It’s amazing how few have attempted to do anything about this problem. The U.S Government has no excuse allowing the citizens of our country to unknowingly endanger themselves by exposure to DHMO. Yet, even those informed citizens are still not safe from the effects of DHMO. We’ve lived under DHMO’s  inescapable cloud of looming disaster for too long. There will be no refuge from it until we, as a society, take action to be safe from DHMO. It won’t be easy; after all, Dihydrogen Monoxide covers more than ⅔ of the Earth’s crust, but you can still take steps toward keeping yourself and loved ones safe from this horrible substance. It isn’t too late to make the change; vote “YES” on proposition 78 to permanently ban the recreational public usage of this dangerous chemical.  Spread the word  to those you know, and your actions may end up saving lives, or maybe even saving your own.

Works Cited

Brighest, Notha. "Aliens, DHMO, Illuminati and Other Conspiracies That I Think Happened." Web log post. Illuminatiisreal.blogspot.com. Blogspot, 12 Sept. 2014. Web. 8 Oct. 2014.

Parker, Richard. "What to Know about DHMO." Editorial. What to Know about DHMO [California] 28 Aug. 2014: n. pag. Sacramentbro.com. Supscio Scious Publishing Corp. Web. 8 Oct. 2014.

Kenam, Fay. "DHMO; Modern Family Survival Guide." The Dangers of DHMO. Notre Al Publishing Inc., 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 8 Oct. 2014. <www.dangersofDhmo.org/survivalguide.html>.