Dihydrogen monoxide. Heard of it? We are 100% certain you have. It’s probably the world’s most common chemical with a whole list of benefits – but it can be fatal too.
Also known as DHMO, dihydrogen monoxide is amongst many other things:
- A universal industrial solvent
- A fire retardant
- A food additive
- Used in weapons manufacture
- A coolant
Would you ban a chemical that causes skin burns in either its solid or gaseous state? That is one of main contributors to the greenhouse effect? That helps distribute pesticides? That can kill you if you are exposed to too much (or too little) of it?
It might sound like banning DHMO would be a good thing for humanity, except for one thing.
What is Dihydrogen Monoxide?
Dihydrogen monoxide is the chemical name for water. Yes, that’s right. Water.
Dihydrogen monoxide common name: Water
Chemical formula: H2O
Melting point: 0°C / 32 °F
Boiling point: 100°C / 212 °F
Density: 1000 kg/m3 (as a liquid)
While we may have stretched the point that dihydrogen monoxide is a killer chemical, water of course does have its hazards.
The Dangers of DHMO
- The most obvious one to humans, of course, is drowning
- If you’re in cold water, you’re at risk of hypothermia
- There are health hazards from ingesting contaminated water
- There are also health risks from drinking highly purified water which has had its minerals removed, such as deionised water
- People have died from water intoxication when they’ve drunk too much water, and of course from dehydration when they don’t have access to enough water to survive
- Flooding
On the flip side, water is of course essential to human life – we wouldn’t be here without it. The earth wouldn’t have oxygen, vegetation, agriculture, fishing, or the same patterns of weather. Water helps us to function, protecting body temperature, helping digestion, and boosting energy.
Dihydrogen monoxide is an important chemical for both our planet and our bodies.
