A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater
Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26. He was attempting to show how
conditioned we have become to the alarmists practicing junk science
and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project
he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total
elimination of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide." And for plenty of
good reasons, since it can
1. cause excessive sweating and vomiting
2. it is a major component in acid rain
3. it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
4. accidental inhalation can kill you
5. it contributes to erosion
6. it decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
7. it has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients
He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical.
Forty-three said yes, six were undecided, and only one knew that the
chemical was water. The title of his prize winning project was, "How
Gullible Are We?" He feels the conclusion is obvious.