Friday, April 1, 2011

Question 586: Raining Supreme


The following is the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for a certain chemical __X__. It was compiled after Nathan Zohner rather precociously described the side-effects of __X__.
The side effects are such:

Dihydrogen monoxide:
  • is called "hydroxyl acid", the substance is the major component of acid rain.
  • contributes to the "greenhouse effect".
  • may cause severe burns.
  • is fatal if inhaled.
  • contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
  • accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
  • may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
  • has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.
Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:
  • as an industrial solvent and coolant.
  • in nuclear power plants.
  • in the production of Styrofoam.
  • as a fire retardant.
  • in many forms of cruel animal research.
  • in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
  • as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products.


Dedicated to Ridding the World of DHMO (no homosexual reference intended by creators)



THE MSDS SHEET:

IV. FIRE & EXPLOSION DATA
Flash Point: Not applicable
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable
Flammable limits in air (% by Vol.): Not applicable
Extinguishing Media: Not applicable
Special firefighting procedures: Not applicable
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazard: Rapid temperature rise of liquid can result in explosive vaporization, particularly if in a sealed container.


V. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Routes of Exposure and Effects of Overexposure
Inhalation
Acute over exposure: Inhalation can result in asphyxiation and is often fatal.
Chronic overexposure: Chronic inhalation overexposure not encountered.
Skin Contact
Acute overexposure: Prolonged but constant contact with liquid may cause a mild dermatitis.
Chronic overexposure: Mild to severe dermatitis.
Skin Absorption
Acute overexposure: No effects noted.
Chronic overexposure: No effects noted.
Eye Contact
Acute overexposure: No effects noted.
Chronic overexposure: No effects noted.
Ingestion
Acute overexposure: Excessive ingestion of liquid form can cause gastric distress and mild diarrhea.
Chronic overexposure: No effects noted.
Emergency and First Aid Procedures
Eyes: None
Skin: None
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air; Provide artificial respiration; Provide oxygen.
Ingestion: None
Notes to Physician: None


VI. REACTIVITY DATA
Conditions contributing to instability: Exposure to direct current electricity.
Incompatibility: Strong acids and bases can cause rapid heating. Reaction with sodium metal can result in explosion.
Conditions contributing to hazardous polymerization: None


VII. SPILL or LEAK PROCEDURES
Neutralizing chemicals
None required.
Waste disposal method:
Process contaminated material through treatment plant prior to discharge into environment. Discharge permit may be required.


VIII. SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
Ventilation requirements:
Remove hot vapor from environment using local exhaust systems.
Specific personal protective equipment:
Respiratory: None required.
Eyes: Goggles or full face splash shield when dealing with hot liquid.
Hands: Use insulating gloves when extensive exposure to solid state or high temperature liquid state is contemplated.
Other clothing and equipment: Use heat protective garment when exposed to large quantities of heated vapor.

IX. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Other handling and storage requirements:
A high pressure containment vessel should be used for the vapor at high temperatures.
Do not allow filled, closed containers to solidify as compound expands upon freezing.
SO:
1) ID X
2) For #brownie points, ID why this garnered so much attention.

Answer:


X:

Dihydrogen monoxide
ie
two hydrogen, one oxygen
thats aqua, water.








The reason it garnered so much attention was because it xploited people's paranoi & prejudice
& this looks like an april fools's joke.



9 comments:

manish hn said...

sigh.. its water...
the dihydrogen monoxide hoax thingy.....when some idiot started spouting the same stuff you've put up.....

Saswat said...

Its Water

Arkal said...

Dihydrogen monoxide? LOL h2o... water.

Arkal said...

is it some sort of crooked april fool's joke?

Sukanto said...

X - Dihydrogen Monoxide / Water :P
Its a hoax ....properties of water written in a way so it sounds very deadly ......
Just to prove how gullible ppl are about chemistry...

Soumya said...

Water, cmon!

R said...

Dihydrogen monoxide is basically water. Its a hoax to trick people and explain its harmful effects. Maybe someone used it as a hoax on April fols day this year...

Pi.R.Square said...

dihydrogen oxide
2h o
h2o

water
& it was an example fo zohnerism, & our type of april fool's joke?

Nagaratna said...

X - H2O/Water/Dihydrogen monoxide
It was water yet a whole bunch of people believed it to be something far more dangerous simply because of the way twas put across.