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HANDLING CAUTION ISSUED TO PILOTS USING DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDEDihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also referred to by some as Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydrogen Hydroxide, Hydronium Hydroxide, or simply Hydric acid. Its basis is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, a species shown to mutate DNA, denature proteins, disrupt cell membranes, and chemically alter critical neurotransmitters. The atomic components of DHMO are found in a number of caustic, explosive and poisonous compounds such as Sulfuric Acid, Nitroglycerine and Ethyl Alcohol.Should I be concerned about Dihydrogen Monoxide?Yes!! You should be concerned about DHMO! Although the U.S. Government and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) do not classify Dihydrogen Monoxide as a toxic or carcinogenic substance (as it does with better known chemicals such as hydrochloric acid and benzene), DHMO is a constituent of many known toxic substances, diseases and disease-causing agents, environmental hazards and can even be lethal to humans in quantities as small as a thimbleful.Research conducted by award-winning U.S. scientist Nathan Zohner concluded that roughly 86 percent of the population supports a ban on dihydrogen monoxide. Although his results are preliminary, Zohner believes people need to pay closer attention to the information presented to them regarding Dihydrogen Monoxide. He adds that if more people knew the truth about DHMO then studies like the one he conducted would not be necessary.A similar study conducted by U.S. researchers Patrick K. McCluskey and Matthew Kulick also found that nearly 90 percent of the citizens participating in their study were willing to sign a petition to support an outright ban on the use of Dihydrogen Monoxide in the United States.Why haven't I heard about Dihydrogen Monoxide before?Good question. Historically, the dangers of DHMO, for the most part, have been considered minor and manageable. While the more significant dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide are currently addressed by a number of agencies including FDA, FEMA and CDC, public awareness of the real and daily dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide is lower than some think it should be.Critics of government often cite the fact that many politicians and others in public office do not consider Dihydrogen Monoxide to be a "politically beneficial" cause to get behind, and so the public suffers from a lack of reliable information on just what DHMO is and why they should be concerned.Part of the blame lies with the public and society at large. Many do not take the time to understand Dihydrogen Monoxide, and what it means to their lives and the lives of their families.Unfortunately, the dangers of DHMO have increased as world population has increased, a fact that the raw numbers and careful research both bear out. Now more than ever, it is important to be aware of just what the dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide are and how we can all reduce the risks faced by ourselves and our families.What are some of the dangers associated with DHMO?Each year, Dihydrogen Monoxide is a known causative component in many thousands of deaths and is a major contributor to millions upon millions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:• De@th due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.• Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.• Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.• DHMO is a major component of acid rain.• Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.• Contributes to soil erosion.• Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.• Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits.• Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.• Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.• Given to vicious dogs involved in recent deadly attacks.• Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere, and in hurricanes including deadly storms in Florida, New Orleans and other areas of the southeastern U.S.• Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.Dihydrogen monoxide is used• as an industrial solvent and coolant,• in nuclear power plants,• by elite athletes to improve performance,• in biological and chemical weapons manufacture,• as a spray-on fire suppressant and retardant,• as a hydrocarbon combustion byproduct in furnaces and air conditioning compressors,• in pesticide production and distribution,• as an additive to food products,• in cough medicines and other liquid pharmaceuticals,• in shampoos, shaving creams, deodorants and numerous other bathroom products,• as a preservative in fresh produce, and• in the coffee available at major coffee houses.To sum it up: Dihydrogen monoxide• is a major component of acid rain,• contributes to soil erosion,• leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals,• causes short-circuiting of electrical systems, and• decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.Some hazards of dihydrogen monoxide are• de@th due to accidental inhalation of liquid DHMO, even in small quantities,• severe tissue damage caused by prolonged exposure to solid DHMO,• severe burns from exposure to gaseous DHMO, and• pre-cancerous tumors and lesions composed largely of liquid DHMO.Symptoms of accidental dihydrogen monoxide overdose include • excessive sweating or urination,• a bloated feeling, nausea, or vomiting,• electrolyte imbalance, and• hyponatremia (dangerously low sodium levels, which can lead to heart, liver, and kidney failure).