Water is made from 2 hydrogen and one oxygen atom, giving the name dihydrogen monoxide.

The dihydrogen monoxide hoax involves listing negative effects of water under an unfamiliar scientific name, then asking individuals to help control the seemingly dangerous substance. The hoax is designed to illustrate how the lack of scientific knowledge and an exaggerated analysis can lead to misplaced fears. Dihydrogen monoxide, shortened to DHMO, is a scientific name for water that, while technically correct, is almost never employed. Image File history File links Water_molecule. ... Image File history File links Water_molecule. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... This article is about the chemical element and its most stable form, or dioxygen. ... A hoax is an attempt to trick an audience into believing that something false is real. ... A magnet levitating above a high-temperature superconductor demonstrates the Meissner effect. ... H2O and HOH redirect here. ...

The hoax was apparently created by Eric Lechner, Lars Norpchen and Matthew Kaufman, housemates while attending UC Santa Cruz in 1989, revised by Craig Jackson in 1994, and brought to widespread public attention in 1997 when Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old student, gathered petitions to ban "DHMO" as the basis of his science project, titled "How Gullible Are We?"^[1] The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC or UC Santa Cruz) is a coeducational public university located in Santa Cruz, California. ...

Original Web appearance

The first Web posting by Craig Jackson included the following:

Dihydrogen monoxide:

• is called "hydroxyl acid", the substance 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.

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.

The original webpage is no longer accessible, but it has been mirrored by The Internet Archive: Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide! // Hydroxyl group The term hydroxyl group is used to describe the functional group -OH when it is a substituent in an organic compound. ... For other uses, see acid (disambiguation). ... The term acid rain is commonly used to mean the deposition of acidic components in rain, snow, fog, dew, or dry particles. ... Wikinews has related news: Scientists warn thawing Siberia may trigger global meltdown A schematic representation of the exchanges of energy between outer space, the Earths atmosphere, and the Earth surface. ... For morphological image processing operations, see Erosion (morphology). ... For the hazard, see corrosive. ... For malignant tumors specifically, see cancer. ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Internet Archive headquarters. ...

Terminology

"Dihydrogen Monoxide" in its liquid form.

"Dihydrogen monoxide" may sound dangerous to those with a limited knowledge of chemistry or who hold to an ideal of a "chemical-free" life. The term monoxide has negative connotations due to its being part of the name of the highly toxic carbon monoxide. Image File history File links Drinking_water. ... Image File history File links Drinking_water. ... For other uses, see Poison (disambiguation). ... Carbon monoxide, with the chemical formula CO, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. ...

The water molecule has the chemical formula H₂O, meaning each molecule of water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. H2O and HOH redirect here. ... A chemical formula is an easy way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... 3D (left and center) and 2D (right) representations of the terpenoid molecule atisane. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... For other uses, see Atom (disambiguation). ... This article is about the chemical element and its most stable form, or dioxygen. ...

Literally, the term "dihydrogen monoxide" means "two hydrogen, one oxygen", consistent with its molecular formula: the prefix di- in dihydrogen means "two", the prefix mono- in monoxide means "one", and an oxide is a compound that contains one or more oxygen atoms. An oxide is a chemical compound containing at least one oxygen atom and other elements. ...

The use of numerical prefixes is typical nomenclature for compounds formed by covalent bonds, which are present in water. The prefix for the first named element is often dropped if the elements involved commonly form only one compound, or even if the number of atoms of the first-named element is the same in all the compounds of the two (or more) elements. Thus H₂S is often simply called hydrogen sulfide, and lithium oxide is a common name for Li₂O. However, the names dihydrogen sulfide, dilithium oxide, and dilithium monoxide are also commonly used both in industry and in universities. Covalent redirects here. ... Hydrogen sulfide (hydrogen sulphide in British English) is the chemical compound with the formula H2S. This colorless, toxic and flammable gas is responsible for the foul odor of rotten eggs and flatulence. ... Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Lithium oxide (Li2O) or lithia is an inorganic chemical compound. ...

The mono- prefix is often dropped for the second-named element if it is the only common compound the elements form. Thus referring to H₂S as hydrogen monosulfide is much rarer than the name hydrogen sulfide. However, since carbon and oxygen can form several compounds (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, tricarbon dioxide, and dicarbon monoxide), the mono- prefix is kept, as it is with silicon monoxide and silicon dioxide. Indeed, hydrogen and oxygen do form another common compound, H₂O₂. Using prefix nomenclature this compound would be called dihydrogen dioxide—also known as hydrogen peroxide. Thus, keeping the mono- in dihydrogen monoxide does serve to distinguish it from another compound. Carbon suboxide, C3O2, is a colorless gas with a melting point of -107oC and a boiling point of 6. ... Dicarbon monoxide (C2O) is an extremely reactive molecule that contains two carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. ... R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , , , , , , Flash point Non-flammable Related Compounds Related compounds Water Ozone Hydrazine Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a very pale blue liquid which appears colorless in... R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , , , , , , Flash point Non-flammable Related Compounds Related compounds Water Ozone Hydrazine Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a very pale blue liquid which appears colorless in...

Water has a regular scientific or systematic name of hydrogen oxide, as well as an alkali name of hydrogen hydroxide and several acid names such as hydroxic acid, hydroxylic acid, and hydroxilic acid. Incidentally, the term "hydroxyl acid" used in the original hoax is slightly incorrect, as it does not follow convention. Additional names of μ-oxido dihydrogen and oxidane have been developed for this compound. There are millions of possible objects that can be described in science, too many to create common names for every one. ... Alkaline redirects here. ... This article needs cleanup. ...

Water is not a systematic chemical name under any recognized nomenclature, nor is it international. It also is not the term normally used for the solid or gaseous forms. Under the 2005 revisions of IUPAC nomenclature of inorganic chemistry, there is no single correct name for every compound.^[2] The primary function of chemical nomenclature is to ensure that the person who hears or reads a chemical name is under no ambiguity as to which chemical compound it refers: each name should refer to a single substance. It is considered less important to ensure that each substance should have a single name, although the number of acceptable names is limited.^[2] Water is one acceptable name for this compound. The IUPAC nomenclature of inorganic chemistry is a systematic method of naming inorganic chemical compounds as recommended by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). ...

Public efforts involving DHMO

The logo of DHMO.org, primary current residence of the dihydrogen monoxide hoax

• In 1989, Eric Lechner, Lars Norpchen and Matthew Kaufman circulated a Dihydrogen Monoxide contamination warning on the UC Santa Cruz Campus via photocopied fliers.^[3] The concept originated one afternoon when Matthew recalled a similar warning about "Hydrogen Hydroxide" that had been published in his mother's hometown paper, the Durand (Michigan) Express, and the three then worked to coin a term that "sounded more dangerous". Eric typed up the original warning flier on Matthew's computer, and a trip to the local photocopying center followed that night.
• In 1994, Craig Jackson created a web page for the Coalition to Ban DHMO. The page spread widely on the net and off, including publication as an ad in a 1995 issue of Analog Magazine.
• The Friends of Hydrogen Hydroxide was created by Dan Curtis Johnson partly as a foil on the Coalition page, to provide evidence of 'misguided' supporters of dihydrogen monoxide. This form of collaborative connivance is a classic tool of internet spoofers.
• In 1997, Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old junior high student at Eagle Rock Junior High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho, gathered 43 votes to ban the chemical, out of 50 people surveyed among his classmates. Zohner received the first prize at Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair for analysis of the results of his survey.^[1] In recognition of his experiment, journalist James K. Glassman coined the term "Zohnerism" to refer to "the use of a true fact to lead a scientifically and mathematically ignorant public to a false conclusion."^[4]
• In 1998, drawing inspiration from Jackon's web page and Zohner's research, Tom Way created the Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division web site as a fun and educational resource for teaching about critical thinking and information literacy.
• In 2001 a staffer in New Zealand Green Party MP Sue Kedgley's office responded to a request for support for a campaign to ban dihydrogen monoxide by saying she was "absolutely supportive of the campaign to ban this toxic substance".^[5]
• Kate Dalgleish and Mikael Sydor, high school students from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, circulated a petition in April 2004 to ban the chemical as part of the Western Canada High School film festival. Several high school chemistry teachers and university science students signed the petition, which asked the municipal government to ban the 'dangerous chemical' under a fictitious Hazardous Chemical Act. Their film won the film festival.
• The idea was used for an episode of the Penn & Teller show Bullshit!, in which they had an actor and a camera crew gather signatures from concerned environmentalists who wanted to ban DHMO.
• In March 2004, Aliso Viejo, California almost considered banning the use of foam containers at city-sponsored events because dihydrogen monoxide is part of their production. A paralegal had asked the city council to put it on the agenda; he later attributed it to poor research.^[6] The law was pulled from the agenda before it could come to a vote, but not before the city received a raft of bad publicity.^[1]
• Teams in a 2005 version of The Game circulated a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California—while dressed in superhero costumes.
• In 2005 at "Tent State University", a week long anti-war event at Rutgers University, members of the conservative publication The Rutgers Centurion gathered signatures from the protesters on a petition calling for a ban on Dihydrogen Monoxide.
• In 2006, in Louisville, Kentucky, David Karem, executive director of the Waterfront Development Corporation, a public body that operates Waterfront Park, which features a large, accessible public fountain, wished to deter bathers from using the fountain. "Counting on a lack of understanding about water's chemical makeup," he arranged for signs reading: "DANGER WATER - CONTAINS HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN - KEEP OUT" to be posted on the fountain at public expense.^[7][8]
• An online petition to the British prime minister was correctly identified by the prime minister's office as a hoax, and rejected.
• In one episode of the children's science show How 2, Fred Dinenage used a glass of water in a perspex box to carry out the hoax, before drinking the water then explaining the truth.
• In 2007 Jacqui Dean, New Zealand National Party MP, fell for the hoax, writing a letter to Associate Minister of Health Jim Anderton asking "Does the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs have a view on the banning of this drug?"^[9][10][5]

Image File history File links DMRDlogo. ... Image File history File links DMRDlogo. ... The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC or UC Santa Cruz) is a coeducational public university located in Santa Cruz, California. ... Astounding Stories was a seminal science fiction magazine founded in 1930. ... Dan Curtis Johnson {also DC Johnson, D. Curtis Johnson) is a programmer and comic book writer, known primarily for his creation (with J.H. Williams III) of the DC Comics series Chase, and for having converted the character of Mister Bones from a former low-level supervillain to a high... Coordinates: , Country State County Bonneville Founded 1864 Incorporated 1891 Government  - Mayor Jared Fuhriman Area  - City  17. ... A science fair is generally a competition where contestants create projects related to science and/or technology. ... James K Glassman James K. Glassman (born January 1, 1947 in Washington, DC) is an American conservative editorialist, journalist and author. ... are you kiddin ? i was lookin for it for hours ... Several conceptions and definitions of information literacy have become prevalent. ... Current Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand logo The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party in the New Zealand parliament. ... Sue Kedgley (born 1948), BA (Victoria), Teachers cert (Auckland), MA (Hons) (Otago), a New Zealand politician, has represented the Green Party in the New Zealand Parliament since first becoming a Member of Parliament as a list MP in the 1999 elections. ... This article is about the Canadian city. ... For other uses, see Alberta (disambiguation). ... Western Canada High School is a public senior high school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Local government of the United States. ... Penn & Teller at the 1988 Emmy Awards Penn & Teller are Las Vegas headliners whose act is an amalgam of illusion and comedy. ... Bullshit! (also known as Penn & Teller: Bullshit!) is an American, Emmy-nominated documentary television series, running since 2003 on the premium cable channel Showtime. ... Aliso Viejo is a city in Orange County, California, United States. ... A city council is the most common style of legislative government in a city or town. ... The Game is a non-stop 24-48 hour treasure hunt / puzzlehunt / road rally that is currently active in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Seattle Area. ... Fishermans Wharf sign Fishermans Wharf is a neighborhood in San Francisco, California, U.S. It is mainly a tourist attraction, known for being the location of Pier 39, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Ghirardelli Square, Ripleys Believe it or Not, ferry rides to Alcatraz and restaurants... San Francisco redirects here. ... For other uses, see Superhero (disambiguation). ... Tent State University is a national movement going on at various universities in the United States, at which students, staff and community members set up tents and build an alternative University. ... The Rutgers Centurion is a conservative magazine at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, founded in September of 2004 by retired Daily Targum columnist James OKeefe, astrophysicist Matthew Klimek and artist Justine Mertz. ... Louisville redirects here. ... The Louisville Waterfront Park provides a nice place to relax and have fun amidst the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. ... 10 Downing Street, commonly known as Number 10, is the most famous street address in London. ... How 2 is an informative childrens programme produced by TVS between 1990 and 1992, and SMG Productions (stv) from 1993. ... Jacqueline Isobel (Jacqui) Dean is a New Zealand politician. ... James Patrick Anderton, almost always referred to as Jim Anderton, is leader of the Progressive Party, a political party in the New Zealand Parliament. ...

See also

• Chemical nomenclature
• Chemophobia
• Parody science
• Water intoxication
• Dormitive principle (at Wiktionary)

Chemical nomenclature is the system for naming chemical compounds. ... Chemophobia literally means fear of chemicals and may be used in various ways. ... Parody science, sometimes called spoof science, is a parody of science. ... Water intoxication (also known as hyperhydration or water poisoning) is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits, ironically by that which makes up the majority of it - common water. ... Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 151 languages. ...

References

The Urban Legends Reference Pages, also known as snopes. ... James K Glassman James K. Glassman (born January 1, 1947 in Washington, DC) is an American conservative editorialist, journalist and author. ... The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C.. It is also one of the citys oldest papers, having been founded in 1877. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 257th day of the year (258th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the news website, see msnbc. ... Categories: Stub | Newspapers in Kentucky | Louisville, Kentucky ... Chemistry & Engineering News is a weekly chemistry trade magazine published by the American Chemical Society. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Penn & Teller Dihyrogen Monoxide petition signing at activist rally
• DHMO.org - Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division
• Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!
• Original Usenet posting
• Friends of Hydrogen Hydroxide
• Mirror of first web publication
  • Some responses by college students
• About.com article
• Dihydrogen Monoxide Kate Dalgleish and Mikael Sydor's DHMO movie

News stories, commentary

• Mysterious Killer Chemical
• Dihydrogen Monoxide: Unrecognized Killer - 1997 Washington Post News Service commentary