THE CHEMISTRY OF ANTI-PLASTIC CAMPAIGNS

Against plastic: an example of the media war and chemistry waged by the large cartel industries it replaced, especially glass, metal, and paper/plastic composite materials (we cannot name it to avoid advertising).

 

In the U.S., a group of young people created an example to show how easily public perception can be misled.

If you want to understand how public opinion can be manipulated, let’s first examine an email originally in English that quickly spread across social media.

Someone needs to say “Stop!” to this insidious and dangerous chemical that has crept into our homes.

DHMO is a colorless and odorless chemical compound. It exists as a liquid at room temperature and dissolves very easily in water. DHMO stands for dihydrogen monoxide, also called hydronium hydroxide. It is found in the composition of many explosives and toxic substances.

Toxicity:

• LD50 (IPR-Mouse) (g/kg) 190

• LD50 (IV-Mouse) (mg/kg) 25

It can react violently with certain substances, producing toxic and flammable gases.

Until recently, DHMO and its harmful effects were underestimated, and the damage it caused was attributed to other causes. People are now beginning to become aware of DHMO’s dangers. Many NGOs have launched campaigns to ban this insidious chemical. There are about 7,100 websites on the internet raising awareness about DHMO and its risks. Nevertheless, politicians continue to ignore this danger.

Every year, thousands of people die due to DHMO’s harmful effects. This chemical causes billions of dollars in damage to nature and humanity annually and must be banned.

Major hazards of DHMO:

• Even a very small amount inhaled into the lungs can be fatal.

• Prolonged contact with solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.

• It is a primary component of acid rain.

• DHMO vapor can cause burns on the skin.

• It contributes to soil erosion.

• It causes corrosion and rusting of metals.

• Found in biopsies of tumors showing cancer development.

• Known to be addictive. Failure to consume it can be fatal for addicts.

• Can cause sweating and nausea when ingested, and frequent urination.

• Large quantities disrupt the body’s electrolyte balance, creating life-threatening conditions.

• Can cause certain heart diseases and hypertension.

• Many dialysis-dependent patients exist due to high DHMO exposure.

• Plays a role in the greenhouse effect.

Known uses of DHMO:

• Industrial solvent and coolant.

• In nuclear power plants.

• In the production of Styrofoam.

• In the manufacture of biological and chemical weapons.

• In abortion clinics.

• Used in some cultural rituals.

• Historically, used in Nazi concentration camps.

• Known to have been used in prisons in Serbia, Libya, and Iraq.

• Used by the Serbian army during ethnic cleansing campaigns.

• In animal research laboratories.

• In agricultural pesticides, where it cannot be washed off treated fruits and vegetables, which is highly dangerous.

• Used in some pornographic films for reasons we cannot describe here.

• By elite athletes as a performance enhancer.

• In many processed foods.

• In most cough syrups.

• Found in shampoos, shaving foams, and many other personal care products.

Symptoms of DHMO overdose:

• Excessive sweating

• Frequent urination

• Nausea

• Bloating

• Vomiting

It is time to raise awareness about DHMO. No one should allow this insidious killer to reach our homes and food, be discharged in massive quantities into rivers and seas without treatment, and threaten humanity.

Please share this with everyone you know. Educate your environment. Join the “Ban DHMO Campaign.” Do not knowingly poison yourself.

This email represents only a small part of the media campaign. In fact, many websites in the U.S. are waging war against DHMO. The main hub for this campaign is www.dhmo.org.

Please visit the site. It has many language options, including Turkish.

Now, let’s get to the real story behind this campaign:

At the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, a high school student invited local residents to sign his project. The young man demanded a complete ban on the use of “dihydrogen monoxide” (DHMO) or, if impossible, extremely strict regulation.

He explained the dangers on a poster:

1. Can cause intense sweating and vomiting.

2. A primary component of acid rain, causing great environmental damage.

3. Its gaseous form can cause severe burns.

4. Accidental inhalation can fill the lungs and lead to death.

5. Causes erosion.

6. Reduces the effectiveness of automobile brakes.

7. Found in all deadly cancerous tumors.

Within one hour, 50 science fair visitors had visited the student’s booth. 43 strongly supported the ban, 6 were undecided, and only one correctly stated that “dihydrogen monoxide” is H2O, the essential molecule of life: water. The student’s project was declared the winner of the “How Easily We Are Deceived” contest.

The student said:
“My goal was to show how easily people can be misled by absurdly scientific-sounding statements.”

Unfortunately, some people still frequently use such methods to mislead the public. In America, a portion of the population still believes DHMO is a harmful substance and continues to volunteer for campaigns to ban “water.”

This campaign illustrates the image problem faced by the modern plastics industry. But we will continue to explain that the benefits of “water” far outweigh any perceived risks…

Yavuz EROĞLU
Pagev 1st Vice President – SEM Plastik General Manager