California: Hoax Soaks Aliso Viejo. Officials fall for 'dihydrogen monoxide' internet prank

Los Angeles Times ^ | March 13, 2004 | William Wan

[John Jorsett]

In large quantities, dihydrogen monoxide can cause medical problems in humans and even destroy property. But in Aliso Viejo, it's only causing red faces.

Officials of the south Orange County city were embarrassed to learn Friday that they had tripped over an Internet hoax about dihydrogen monoxide — commonly known as water — in an effort to be environmentally correct.

A proposed law that was scheduled to go before the City Council next week would have banned foam cups and containers at events requiring city permits.

A staff report cited environmental concerns, including the danger posed by dihydrogen monoxide, described as a chemical used in production of the plastic that can "threaten human health and safety."

"It's embarrassing," said City Manager David J. Norman. "We had a paralegal who did bad research."

[dts32041]

Hey get over it.

Its water under the bridge as it were.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

"It's embarrassing," said City Manager David J. Norman. "We had a paralegal who did bad research."

He then went on to add, "And no one in city government ever took chemistry but hey, we are qualified to tell you what is bad for you anyway! If we "feel" it is bad for you and has a scary sounding name that is good enough for us."

[John123]

dihydrogen monoxide

When handling dihydrogen monoxide, be sure to follow safe chemical handling procedures...fume hood, thick rubber gloves and approved goggles.

[prion]

You wouldn't catch me drinking that stuff! I'll stick to good old C2H60, thank you very much.

[Drango]

This story is all wet....

[davetex]

I smell Niel Boortz around here.

[Professional Engineer]

Just wait until they learn of the dangers of hydrogen hydroxide!

[WorkingClassFilth]

BUMP

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

"It's embarrassing," said City Manager David J. Norman. "We had a paralegal who did bad research."

That Erin Brockovitch sure gets around! Of course this scare had as much scientific validity as alar, asbestos, dioxin,... You get the picture.

[RaceBannon]

Well, that 2HO has less calories than the C2H60, as far as I can tell

Not as acidic, is it? I mean, what is the PH of 2HO? 7 or something??

Goodness!

[Izzy Dunne]

I received a gadget for Christmas that has a thermometer, a barometer and a dihydrogen monoxide detector, all in one convenient wall-hanging package!

For some reason, when the dihydrogen monoxide detector is high, the air feels damp...

[MaryFromMichigan]

Alas for little Willy.
We'll see Willy no more.
For what he thought was h2o,
was h2so4.

:)

[BraveMan]

Scouring the dihydrogen monoxide for monsters . . .

[MindBender26]

Hey, knock it of! I happen to know, from some great old movies, that dihydrogen monoxide is a miracle cure!

Lots of old movies, just one sip of dihydrogen monoxide and a very sick person was up walking! A little respect for this miracle cure! :~)

[tom h]

The pure version will kill you. Watch out.

[OXENinFLA]

#14Nice pic.

[Kowdawg]

Not as acidic, is it? I mean, what is the PH of 2HO? 7 or something??

Exactly. I strongly support the idea that a pH of 7 is an intolerably high limit. We must rid the world of all pH. Global pH levels must be brought to 0 if the human species is to survive. For the children.

[socal_parrot]

dihydrogen monoxide can cause medical problems in humans and even destroy property

What are we doing to our children?< /meryl streep >

[Rocky]

Thoughts of dihydrogen monoxide (DHM) poisoning and global warming are the two things that keep me awake at night. Like Al Gore says, Earth in the Balance. You know, every time you burn a fossil fuel, you spew DHM into the atmosphere. While we are focusing on CO2 and unburned hydrocarbons, the real killer goes unnoticed.