Dihydrogen Monoxide Parody

The dihydrogen monoxide parody involves referring to water by a strange chemical term, most commonly “dihydrogen monoxide” (DHMO), and stating some of water’s attributes in a very terrifying manner, such as causing asphyxia and speeding corrosion (rust) (drowning). Dihydrogen monoxide should be banned, regulated, or labelled as dangerous, according to the parody. It plays into chemophobia by demonstrating how a lack of scientific literacy combined with an overblown analysis can lead to irrational worries. Other chemical names that have been parodied include dihydrogen oxide, hydrogen hydroxide, hydroxic acid, oxidane and hydric acid. 

Naming of Dihydrogen

The chemical formula for water is H2O, which means it is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The prefix di- in dihydrogen indicates “two,” the prefix mono- in monoxide means “one,” and “oxide” designates oxygen in a compound (due to the two o’s that would arise in “monooxide,” the o’s are fused together to become “monoxide”). Water is known by a variety of names in the scientific world, including hydrogen oxide, hydrogen hydroxide, which designates it as a base, and hydroxic acid, hydric acid, hydroxyl acid, hydroxilic acid and hydrohydroxic acid. The term hydroxyl acid, which was used in the original text, is now obsolete. There is no single right name for every chemical according to the 2005 modifications of the IUPAC nomenclature of inorganic chemistry. The fundamental purpose of chemical nomenclature is to ensure that each name corresponds to a specific material without ambiguity. Although the number of permitted names is restricted, it is deemed less critical to ensure that each substance has a single unambiguous name. Water is one accepted name for this compound, despite the fact that it is not a systematic or universal term and only refers to one phase of the molecule (its liquid form). Oxidane is the other IUPAC suggestion.

Characteristics of Dihydrogen Monoxide

Although Dihydrogen Monoxide is the chemical name for water, the names water and Dihydrogen Monoxide are distinct due to several variables, including applications of those factors. The following are some of the features of Dihydrogen Monoxide: 

• It is also known as hydroxyl acid and is a primary component of acid rain. 

• It contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect.

• It has the potential to produce severe burns. 

• It also contributes significantly to the deterioration of our natural landscape. 

• It causes many metals to rust and accelerates corrosion. 

• It can also cause electrical faults and reduce the effectiveness of car brakes.

• It’s been seen in the resected tumours of terminal cancer patients.

Uses of Dihydrogen Monoxide

Along with the multiple dangers associated with Dihydrogen Monoxide, there are numerous uses as well, some of which are listed below: 

• It’s utilised in nuclear reactors. It’s a coolant as well as an industrial solvent. 

• It’s what makes Styrofoam so popular. 

• It’s a main ingredient in a lot of home-brew bombs. 

• It is produced as a by-product of hydrocarbon combustion in furnaces and air conditioning compressors. 

• It’s a fire retardant and suppressant that you can spray on. 

• It’s widely utilised as an addition in a variety of meals, particularly junk foods. 

• It’s even employed in the spread of pesticides. 

• Dihydrogen monoxide is also employed as an industrial solvent and coolant in certain nuclear power plants. 

• It’s utilised in the production of polystyrene.

Symptoms Associated with Dihydrogen Monoxide

In the event of a dihydrogen monoxide overdose, the following signs should be monitored, and the victim should seek medical help right away: 

• Excessive Urination  

• Nausea, Vomiting 

• Sweating excessively 

• Electrolyte imbalance 

• The sodium homeostasis is deteriorating

• Hyponatremia, also known as serum hypotonicity, is a condition in which the body’s sodium levels are low 

• Feeling bloated ICF and ECF levels in the blood are dangerously out of balance.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that dihydrogen monoxide contains oxygen, each molecule only has one atom. To breathe and maintain cellular respiration, you require O2. As a result, attempting to breathe water could result in death. Water intoxication, also known as hyponatremia, is a condition that occurs when you consume too much water. People have perished as a result of it. Tritiated water is water that has had the hydrogen isotope replaced by the tritium isotope. The molecular formula is identical once more. Although a trace amount of tritium will not hurt you, it is more dangerous than deuterium since it is radioactive. Tritium, on the other hand, has a limited half life, so if you hold tritiated water for a few years, it will ultimately be safe to drink.

Purified water that has had its electrical charge removed is known as deionized water. It’s beneficial in the lab, but because it’s reactive and corrosive, it’s not a chemical you want to drink. Soft tissues and dental enamel can be harmed by drinking deionized water. While drinking pure deionized water does not usually result in death, it is not recommended as a single source of water. Minerals necessary for human health can be found in ordinary drinking water.