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:''"Dihydrogen monoxide" redirects here. For the H<sub>2</sub>O molecule, see [[water (molecule)]].'' |
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[[Image:Water molecule.svg|thumb|right|[[Water]] is made from 2 [[hydrogen]] and one [[oxygen]] atom, giving the name dihydrogen monoxide.]] |
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The '''dihydrogen monoxide hoax''' involves listing negative effects of water under an unfamiliar scientific name, then asking individuals to help control the seemingly dangerous substance. The [[hoax]] is designed to illustrate how the lack of [[science|scientific]] knowledge and an exaggerated analysis can lead to misplaced fears. Dihydrogen monoxide, shortened to DHMO, is a scientific name for [[water (molecule)|water]] that, while technically correct, is almost never employed. |
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The hoax was apparently created by Eric Lechner, Lars Norpchen and Matthew Kaufman, housemates while attending [[UC Santa Cruz]] in 1989, revised by Craig Jackson in 1994, and brought to 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?"<ref name="snopes">[http://www.snopes.com/science/dhmo.asp Dihydrogen Monoxide] from [[Urban Legends Reference Pages]], accessed 25 September 2006.</ref> |
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== Original Web appearance == |
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The first Web posting by Craig Jackson included the following: |
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<!-- NOTE TO EDITORS: This is a quote from a prior website posting. DO NOT MAKE CONTENT CHANGES TO QUOTES. --> |
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{{quotation| |
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Dihydrogen monoxide: |
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*is called "[[hydroxyl]] [[acid]]", the substance is the major component of [[acid rain]]. |
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*contributes to the "[[greenhouse effect]]". |
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*may cause severe burns. |
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*contributes to the [[erosion]] of our natural landscape. |
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*accelerates [[corrosion]] and rusting of many metals. |
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*may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes. |
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*has been found in excised [[tumor]]s of terminal [[cancer]] patients. |
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Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used: |
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* as an industrial solvent and coolant. |
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* in nuclear power plants. |
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* in the production of styrofoam. |
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* as a fire retardant. |
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* in many forms of cruel animal research. |
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* in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical. |
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* as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products. |
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}} |
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The original webpage is no longer accessible, but it has been [[Mirror (computing)|mirrored]] by [[The Internet Archive]]: [http://web.archive.org/web/19970125142623/media.circus.com/~no_dhmo/ Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!] |
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== Terminology == |
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[[Image:Drinking water.jpg|thumb|left|"Dihydrogen Monoxide" in its liquid form.]] |
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"Dihydrogen monoxide" may sound dangerous to those with a limited knowledge of chemistry or who hold to an ideal of a "chemical-free" life. The term ''monoxide'' has negative connotations due to its being part of the name of the highly [[poison|toxic]] [[carbon monoxide]]. |
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The [[Water (molecule)|water molecule]] has the [[chemical formula]] H<sub>2</sub>O, meaning each [[molecule]] of water is composed of two [[hydrogen]] [[atom]]s and one [[oxygen]] atom. |
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Literally, the term "dihydrogen monoxide" means "two hydrogen, one oxygen", consistent with its molecular formula: the prefix ''[[Wiktionary:di-|di-]]'' in ''dihydrogen'' means "two", the prefix ''[[Wiktionary:mono-|mono-]]'' in ''monoxide'' means "one", and an [[oxide]] is a compound that contains one or more oxygen atoms. |
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The use of numerical prefixes is typical nomenclature for compounds formed by [[covalent bond]]s, which are present in water. The prefix for the first named element is often dropped if the elements involved commonly form only one compound, or even if the number of atoms of the first-named element is the same in all the compounds of the two (or more) elements. Thus H<sub>2</sub>S is often simply called [[hydrogen sulfide]], and [[lithium oxide]] is a common name for Li<sub>2</sub>O. However, the names dihydrogen sulfide, dilithium oxide, and dilithium monoxide are also commonly used both in industry and in universities. |
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The mono- prefix is often dropped for the second-named element if it is the only common compound the elements form. Thus referring to H<sub>2</sub>S as hydrogen monosulfide is much rarer than the name hydrogen sulfide. However, since carbon and oxygen can form several compounds (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, [[carbon suboxide|tricarbon dioxide]], and [[dicarbon monoxide]]), the mono- prefix is kept, as it is with silicon monoxide and silicon dioxide. Indeed, hydrogen and oxygen do form another common compound, [[hydrogen peroxide|H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>]]. Using prefix nomenclature this compound would be called dihydrogen dioxide—also known as [[hydrogen peroxide]]. Thus, keeping the mono- in dihydrogen monoxide does serve to distinguish it from another compound. |
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Water has a regular scientific or [[systematic name]] of '''hydrogen oxide''', as well as an [[alkali]] name of '''hydrogen hydroxide''' and several acid names such as '''hydroxic acid''', '''hydroxylic acid''', and '''hydroxilic acid'''. Incidentally, the term "hydroxyl acid" used in the original hoax is slightly incorrect, as it does not follow [[Naming acids#Nomenclature|convention]]. Additional names of μ-oxido dihydrogen and oxidane have been developed for this compound. |
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Water is not a systematic chemical name under any recognized nomenclature, nor is it international. It also is not the term normally used for the solid or gaseous forms. Under the 2005 revisions of [[IUPAC nomenclature of inorganic chemistry]], there is no single correct name for every compound. <ref name=IUPAC2004>IUPAC Report: General Aims, Functions and Methods of Chemical Nomenclature (March 2004) http://www.iupac.org/reports/provisional/abstract04/RB-prs310804/Chap1-3.04.pdf</ref> The primary function of chemical nomenclature is to ensure that the person who hears or reads a chemical name is under no ambiguity as to which chemical compound it refers: each name should refer to a single substance. It is considered less important to ensure that each substance should have a single name, although the number of acceptable names is limited.<ref name=IUPAC2004 /> Water is one acceptable name for this compound. |
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== Public efforts involving DHMO == |
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[[Image:DMRDlogo.gif|right|thumb|The logo of [http://www.dhmo.org DHMO.org], primary current residence of the dihydrogen monoxide hoax]] |
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* In 1989, Eric Lechner, Lars Norpchen and Matthew Kaufman circulated a Dihydrogen Monoxide contamination warning on the [[UC Santa Cruz]] Campus via photocopied fliers.<ref>[http://www.matthew.at/dhm.pdf The original poster circulated at UC Santa Cruz (PDF)]</ref> The concept originated one afternoon when Matthew recalled a similar warning about "Hydrogen Hydroxide" that had been published in his mother's hometown paper, the Durand (Michigan) Express, and the three then worked to coin a term that "sounded more dangerous". Eric typed up the original warning flier on Matthew's computer, and a trip to the local photocopying center followed that night. |
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* In 1994, Craig Jackson created a web page for the Coalition to Ban DHMO. The page spread widely on the net and off, including publication as an "ad" in a 1995 issue of [[Analog Magazine]]. |
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* [http://www.armory.com/~crisper/DHMO/ The Friends of Hydrogen Hydroxide] was created partly as a foil on the Coalition page, to provide evidence of 'misguided' supporters of dihydrogen monoxide. This form of collaborative connivance is a classic tool of internet spoofers. |
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* In 1997, Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old junior high student at Eagle Rock Junior High School in [[Idaho Falls, Idaho]], gathered 43 votes to ban the chemical, out of 50 people surveyed among his classmates. Zohner received the first prize at Greater Idaho Falls [[science fair|Science Fair]] for analysis of the results of his survey.<ref name="snopes"/> In recognition of his experiment, journalist [[James K. Glassman]] coined the term "Zohnerism" to refer to "the use of a true fact to lead a scientifically and mathematically ignorant public to a false conclusion."<ref>{{cite news |first=James K |last=Glassman |authorlink=James K. Glassman |title=Dihydrogen Monoxide: Unrecognized Killer |url=http://www.junkscience.com/news/glassman.html |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=[[1997]] |accessdate=2007-03-08}}</ref> |
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* In 1997, drawing inspiration from Jackon's web page and Zohner's research, Tom Way created the [http://www.DHMO.org Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division] web site as a fun and educational resource for teaching about [[critical thinking]] and [[information literacy]]. |
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*In 2001 a staffer in [[New Zealand Green Party]] MP [[Sue Kedgley]]'s office responded to a request for support for a campaign to ban dihydrogen monoxide by saying she was "absolutely supportive of the campaign to ban this toxic substance". <ref name="DeanAndKedgely"> |
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{{cite web |
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| last = Gnad |
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| first = Megan |
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| authorlink = |
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| coauthors = |
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| title = MP tries to ban water |
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| work = |
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| publisher = New Zealand Herald |
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| date = 2007-09-14 |
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| url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10463579 |
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| format = |
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| accessdate = }} </ref> |
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* Kate Dalgleish and Mikael Sydor, high school students from [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], [[Canada]], circulated a petition in April 2004 to ban the chemical as part of the [[Western Canada High School]] film festival. Several high school chemistry teachers and university science students signed the petition, which asked the [[municipal government]] to ban the 'dangerous chemical' under a fictitious Hazardous Chemical Act. Their film won the film festival. |
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* The idea was used for an episode of the [[Penn & Teller]] show ''[[Bullshit!]]'', in which they had self-proclaimed environmentalists sign a petition to ban DHMO. |
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* 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.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4534017/ Local officials nearly fall for H<sub>2</sub>O hoax], at [[MSNBC]] 15 March 2004, accessed 25 September 2006.</ref> The law was pulled from the agenda before it could come to a vote, but not before the city received a raft of bad publicity.<ref name=snopes/> |
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*Teams in a 2005 version of [[The Game (treasure hunt)|The Game]] circulated a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide at [[Fisherman's Wharf]] in [[San Francisco, California]]—while dressed in [[superhero]] costumes. |
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* In 2005 at "[[Tent State University]]", a week long anti-war event at Rutgers University, members of the conservative publication The [[Rutgers Centurion]] gathered signatures from the protesters on a petition calling for a ban on Dihydrogen Monoxide. |
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*In 2006, in [[Louisville, Kentucky]], David Karem, executive director of the Waterfront Development Corporation, a public body that operates [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]], which features a large, accessible public fountain, wished to deter bathers from using the fountain. "Counting on a lack of understanding about water's chemical makeup," he arranged for signs reading: "DANGER WATER - CONTAINS HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN - KEEP OUT to be posted on the fountain at public expense.<ref>[http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060717/NEWS01/607170372&SearchID=73251038596946 ''Water'' without ''hydrogen would warrant warning''], [[Louisville Courier-Journal]], Monday, July 17, 2006 (link inactive as of Friday, May 18, 2007)</ref><ref>[http://pubs.acs.org/cen/newscripts/84/8443newscripts.html Danger! H in H<sub>2</sub>O], [[Chemical & Engineering News]], October 23, 2006 [http://www.webcitation.org/5OwIq682q webcite mirror]</ref> |
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* An online [http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ban-DHMO/ petition] to the British prime minister was correctly identified by [[Number Ten|the prime minister's office]] as a hoax, and rejected. |
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* In one episode of the children's science show [[How 2]], Fred Dinenage used a glass of water in a perspex box to carry out the hoax, before drinking the water then explaining the truth. |
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* In 2007 [[Jacqui Dean]], New Zealand National Party MP, fell for the hoax, writing a letter to Associate Minister of Health [[Jim Anderton]] asking "Does the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs have a view on the banning of this drug?" <ref>{{cite web |
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| last = |
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| first = |
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| authorlink = |
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| title = Questions And Answers - Wednesday, 12 September 07 |
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| work = |
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| publisher = Scoop |
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| date = 2007-09-13 |
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| url = http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0709/S00224.htm |
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| format = |
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| accessdate = }} </ref> <ref> |
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{{cite web |
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| last = |
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| authorlink = |
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| title = PDF file of related correspondence |
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| work = |
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| publisher = Scoop |
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| date = 2007-09-13 |
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| url = http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0709/DeanDHMO.pdf |
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| format = |
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| doi = |
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| accessdate = }} </ref> <ref name="DeanAndKedgely">X</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Chemical nomenclature]] |
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*[[Chemophobia]] |
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*[[Parody science]] |
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*[[Water intoxication]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi3erdgVVTw Penn & Teller Dihyrogen Monoxide petition signing at activist rally] |
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* [http://www.dhmo.org DHMO.org ] - Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division |
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* [http://www.netreach.net/~rjones/no_dhmo.html Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!] |
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* [http://groups.google.com/group/rec.humor.funny/browse_thread/thread/3f985a069a2a19d8/ Original Usenet posting] |
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* [http://www.armory.com/~crisper/DHMO/ Friends of Hydrogen Hydroxide] |
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* [http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/8092/dhmo.htm Mirror of first web publication] |
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** [http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/dhmofoot.htm Some responses by college students] |
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* [http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_ban_dhmo.htm About.com article] |
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* [http://www.dhmo.tk/ ''Dihydrogen Monoxide''] Kate Dalgleish and Mikael Sydor's DHMO movie |
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=== News stories, commentary === |
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* [http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s1631494.htm Mysterious Killer Chemical] |
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* [http://www.junkscience.com/news/glassman.html Dihydrogen Monoxide: Unrecognized Killer] - 1997 Washington Post News Service commentary |
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[[Category:Hoaxes in science]] |
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[[Category:Humor]] |
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[[Category:Water]] |
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[[Category:Water and politics]] |
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[[Category:Professional humor]] |
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[[Category:Hydrogen compounds]] |
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[[bar:Dihydrogenmonoxid]] |
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[[de:Dihydrogenmonoxid]] |
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[[es:Monoxido de di-hidrogeno]] |
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[[fa:دی هیدروژن مونوکسید]] |
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[[fr:Canular du monoxyde de dihydrogène]] |
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[[ko:산화이수소]] |
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[[ja:DHMO]] |
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[[no:Dihydrogenmonoksid]] |
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[[pl:Monotlenek diwodoru]] |
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[[fi:Divetymonoksidi]] |
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[[zh:一氧化二氢恶作剧]] |