thumb|upright=1|Dihydrogen monoxide is a name for the water molecule, which comprises two [[hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom ().]]

The dihydrogen monoxide parody involves referring to water () by its unfamiliar chemical systematic name "dihydrogen monoxide" (DHMO) and describing some properties of water in a particularly concerning manner – such as its ability to accelerate corrosion (rust) and cause suffocation (drowning) – often calling for it to be banned, regulated strictly, or labeled as a hazardous chemical.

The motivation behind the parody is to play into chemophobia, and to demonstrate how exaggerated analysis, information overload, and a lack of scientific literacy can lead to misplaced fears.

Occasionally, reports also reference its widespread contamination of rivers or municipal water supplies. The parody has also involved other uncommon chemical nomenclatures for water such as "hydrogen hydroxide", "dihydrogen oxide" and "hydric acid".

History

In 1983, on April Fools' Day, an edition of the Durand Express, a weekly newspaper in Durand, Michigan, reported that "dihydrogen oxide"<!--the source calls it "oxide"--> had been found in the city's water pipes, and warned that it was fatal if inhaled, and could produce blistering vapors. It received widespread public attention in 1997 when Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old student, gathered petitions to ban "DHMO" as the basis of his science project, titled "How Gullible Are We?"

  • In March 2004, Aliso Viejo, California, almost considered banning the use of foam containers at city-sponsored events because dihydrogen monoxide is part of their production. A paralegal had asked the city council to put it on the agenda; he later attributed it to poor research.

Notable older uses

  • Robert A. Heinlein's 1961 novel "Stranger in a Strange Land" references "hydrogen monoxide."

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  • Current DHMO.org website
  • Web archive of the DHMO.org website.
  • Snopes article with much information on how a 9th grade class reacted to an anti-DHMO petition