Dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) is an interesting compound. It is said to be a very dangerous pollutant by some groups. Listed below are some of the reasons given by these groups for wanting it banned from use.
- DHMO is the most prevalent greenhouse gas. It causes more global warming than carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane combined.
- DHMO is a colorless, odorless constituent of many known toxic substances, diseases, and disease-causing agents.
- DHMO has lead to many environmental hazards, accelerates erosion, is the primary component of acid rain, and has a profound impact on wild life. The damage is costing billions of dollars.
- DHMO has many immediate, personal dangers. Found in volumes as small as a single vial, it can cause second and even third degree burns if it contacts bare skin. Death frequently results from the accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in relatively small amounts.
- DHMO has been found in all tumors excised from cancer patients.
- DHMO is used in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
Assignments
Before starting these assignments ask your instructor which one or ones you may do.
- Visit a minimum of three web sites, gather information on DHMO and write a two page paper (typed) giving your opinion on the matter. As a starter you can use the following web address as one of your sources: http://www.dhmo.org/ .
- If after visiting some sites on DHMO you feel that it is a dangerous compound that should be banned, design a petition and see how many people will sign it. (If you feel that DHMO should not be banned, you can circulate a petition to this effect. ) Prepare a typed report.
- Conduct a survey getting the opinions of several people on the subject. Analyze the results to see if there is a difference in the opinions of people based on gender, age, education, and profession. Such a survey will probably require that you hand out some information for people to read before they can render an opinion. Prepare a typed report of your results.
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