Friday, May 1, 2009

My letter to Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann

In its entirety:
Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann
107 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Congresswoman Bachmann:

I am writing to congratulate you on your brave and informed stand against the regulation of carbon dioxide, which in fact is, as you note, a naturally-occurring chemical. If you should decide to take up this topic again, may I suggest that you also note that carbon-dioxide is an integral part of the carbon-cycle; and, through plant photosynthesis, is the source of the very oxygen which is needed to sustain human life.

Furthermore, I would like to alert you to a hazardous chemical which is NOT regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency or by any other United States government agency, Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO; chemical formula H-(OH); also known as Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydrogen Hydroxide, Hydronium Hydroxide, or simply Hydric acid), the known perils of which include:
• Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.
• Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.
• DHMO is a major component of acid rain.
• Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.
• Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.
• Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.
This abbreviated list is from the wonderfully informative website, Dihydrogen Monoxide - DHMO Facts, a copy of which I’ve included in its entirety with this note. The website includes links to four Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for DHMO, all reflecting the cautions that must be exercised when handling, storing, and disposing of this UNREGULATED hazardous chemical. I note that DHMO is a by-product of the combustion of rocket fuel and was released into the atmosphere when the space shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986.

Again, thanks for your public service!
I sincerely hope she heeds my warning and becomes a strong advocate of DHMO regulation!

p.s. I also included a printout of the website Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!, which is shorter and more likely to be read by her staff.

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