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Explanation of the danger of dihydrogen monoxide - Succeed in Chemistry. Also refer to dhmo, chemistry, compounds, formula, water, acid rain, ice, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Danger of Dihydrogen Monoxide

by Ron Kurtus (28 May 2004)

There have been reports that the chemical dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) has been used in various products and can be dangerous to the health of people in certain situations.

Questions you may have include:

• What are the dangers of DHMO?
• What is DHMO?
• What are the real dangers?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Note: If you want to hear the text being read, click the Play button. It takes a few seconds for the sound to start. The voices are somewhat mechanical for computer use.

Time = 2 min. 5 sec.

Dangers

Some of the dangers of DHMO include:

• Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO can cause severe tissue damage
• Accidental inhalation of liquid DHMO can cause death
• DMHO is a major component in acid rain

Also, DHMO is used in the production of Styrofoam.

One community in California recently considered banning foam cups because DHMO is used in the manufacture of them.

What is DHMO?

Chemistry students can analyze the name of DHMO to determine the chemical formula of the substance.

"Di-" before an element usually indicates there are 2 atoms of that element in the formula. Thus, there are 2 atoms of hydrogen.

"Mono-" or "mon-" before an element indicates there is 1 atom of that element in the formula. Thus, there is 1 atom of oxygen in the formula.

You should be able to figure out what the chemical is.

What are the real dangers?

Prolonged exposure to ice can cause severe tissue damage, such as frostbite.

Accidental inhalation can cause death by drowning.

It is obvious why it is a major component in acid rain.

Summary

Like any other common substances, the chemical dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) can be dangerous in some situations. Knowledge of Chemistry will help avoid misunderstandings.

Answers to Readers' Questions

Resources

The following are resources on this topic.

Websites

DHMO.org - Tongue-in-cheek site dedicated to expose the "dangers" of dihydrogen monoxide

Scientific American - Antigravity column by Steve Mirsky, June 2004

Chemistry Resources

Books on chemistry

Top-rated books on Chemistry

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. What is another chemical formula for DHMO?

2. How can solid DHMO harm your skin?

3. Why is DHMO in acid rain?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Chemistry. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

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Danger of Dihydrogen Monoxide