dihydrogen monoxide (Photo credit: helen sotiriadis)
Yesterday we talked about the “perils” of Sugar and whether or not it should be taxed like tobacco. Tony Falkenstein, a purveyor of water products, thinks sugar should be taxed.
That got me thinking.
If Tony Falkenstein and the other proponents of a tax based on harm are right then surely we should look at one of the most harmful substances on earth - Dihydrogen Monoxide.
Dihydrogen 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, which has been 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.
Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:
- Death 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.
- Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.
- DHMO vapour is the leading contributor to Global Warming
On the basis of harm mitigation alone there is a very strong case to tax DMHO. Then again the Greens were proposing exactly that at the last election.
Who knew that Tony Falkenstein is actually promoting the sale of such a toxic and life threatening substance through his company?
