Warning about DHMO

[wavelandscott]

Some of you may have already seen this important warning...

http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html

Remember, I work for a chemical company and understand all about the molecular make up of this compound. :P

As you read the link please be sure to recall your High School chemistry class. The LD50 for this compound is estimated > 6L per 70 kg human...

[dannat]

give this to my science students once a year

[AstralTraveller]

I've seen similar warnings before, though none so complete, about this incideous and underrated hazard. Great Work.

I clearly recall when doing Environmental Chemistry the prepared notes (written by an academic who now holds a very senior position) about dangerous solvents completely ignored this hazard, instead going on about relatively harmless chemicals such as benzene, toluene and pyridine. Fortuneltely the juniour academic who was delivering the course that year was aware of the real situation and pointed out the hazardous nature of DHMO. Quite apart from it's own intrinsic danger it is quite able to transport and store a whole raft of dangerous substances.

One thing the web site did miss is the potential for asphixiation caused by just the right mixture of DHMO and SD (silicon dioxide - another underrated hazard).

[Ric]

Thanks for the link Scott.

I didn't know much about this one. I'm glad I read it.

[wavelandscott]

I thought I also left this second post...

DHMO = 2 hydrogens and 1 oxygen...H2O (water) :D

[sheeny]

:lol::thumbsup:

Dangerous stuff! But then, no one in northern NSW or SE Qld would disagree...

Al.

[troypiggo]

I'm a little concerned. According to the material safety data sheet, its specific gravity, boiling point and melting point are all identical to water. It's colourless and odourless. My wife could hand me a glass of the stuff and I'd drink it assuming it was safe!

[erick]

OMG! I've swum in mixtures of this compound with alkali metal salts! :scared:

[AstralTraveller]

"mixtures"?? Don't you mean solutions? You've been out of chemistry far too long mate. :P ;)

Personnally I suffer from a buildup of this stuff in my body. I find I need to drain it away regularly. Failure to do so can cause considerable discomfort and eventually embarrisment.

[Robert9]

Its also known for its detrimental effect on alcoholic beverages. Brandy and whiskey in particular. An even worse effect when in the solid form.

As for mixtures with the alkaline salts, a glass of a 0.9% solution of NaCl can actually make you vomit. In fact, fatal doses in children have been reported.

[TrevorW]

Ignorance is bliss but maybe it'll imprvoe my performance and marriage

[Jen]

:lol::lol::lol:

[Gallifreyboy]

DHMO has a lot to answer for. Atmospheric DHMO has ruined countless astronomy viewing sessions. :whistle:

[AstralTraveller]

And DHMO vapour is the main greenhouse gas in our atmosphere. :)

[marki]

Do the same myself. Get them to sign a petition to get it banned :).

Mark

[BerrieK]

Very clever, thanks for the warning.


A plasma-like solution containing DHMO, salt and lysozyme fell from my eyes as I read the report. :rofl::einstein:

Kerrie

[Barrykgerdes]

I would not worry too much about it. There are many readily available antidotes available off the shelf in your local liquor store.

Barry

[ngcles]

Hi All,

Personally I think it's overrated unless CO2 and beer molecules are dissolved in it. :thumbsup:

... and what the fish do in this stuff is just beyond the 'scope of a family-oriented forum such as this ... yucky-yuck-yuck!


Best,

Les D

[MrB]

Ooo yeah I'm a big fan of DHMO with CO2 and C2H5OH and AA in it.... mmmmm

[Baddad]

Hey All, :)

Does it cure or ease the pain of hangovers???:confused:

( LD50 90gms/Kg MMMM. Not good for ya' )

Cheers Marty

[Inmykombi]

Now I am confused....
I understand electrical stuff, but not chemistry stuff.

Is this stuff in our food ? is it bad ?

Or is it just water ? ie: H2O ?

D'oh....

Geoffro

[wavelandscott]

It is just plain water (but all of the things written about it are true)...as a "spoof" a website (or two) was set up as a prank to scare people and maybe even try to get water banned. Most everyone is familiar with H2O but this can also be, but not frequently, represented DHMO (di (two) Hydrogen mono (one) oxygen).

Another favorite of mine was in a petition drive that was done to eliminate women's sufferage in the US (actually it was "The Man Show"). A booth was set up at a flea market and many women (and men) signed up.

A number of well intentioned, but ill informed people came out with strong messages against women's sufferage. For those "in the know" it was very funny.

In case people aren't familiar with the term...sufferage is the right to vote.