The Chemical-Free Chemistry Kit 296
eldavojohn writes "It's known that home chemistry sets are in danger of going extinct, which has spurred set makers to add the label 'Chemical Free!' on modern chemistry sets (NSFW warning — JAYFK stands for Journal of Are You *expletive* Kidding). The kit for ages 10+ provides 60 chemistry activities that are mind-bogglingly chemical free. The pedantic blog entry points out the many questions that arise when the set promises 'fun activities' like growing plants and crystals — sans chemicals! That would be quite the feat to accomplish without the evilest of chemicals: dihydrogen monoxide. While this rebuttal is done in jest, this set's intentions do highlight the chilling growth of a new mentality: Chemicals are bad. Despite their omnipresence from the beginning of time, they are no longer safe. Even real researchers are starting to notice the possible voluntary stunting of science education that is occurring in the name of overreaching safety."
Dihydrogen Monoxide *is* a serious threat (Score:5, Funny)
Laugh all you want, but that stuff is a powerful solvent that's highly reactive. It can promote corrosion in metals and bacterial growth, is used in making many deadly compounds, and even becomes explosive when mixed with common chemicals like sodium. I hear they're even spraying it on houses and cars now to strip away dirt and grease. It's THAT powerful a solvent. All that and yet our kids are exposed to the stuff every single day, and no one seems to care. These our OUR KIDS we're talking about, for christ's sake!
Sure, the EPA and numerous state agencies *say* they're monitoring the stuff, but do we REALLY know?
Re:Dihydrogen Monoxide *is* a serious threat (Score:5, Funny)
Most people have no idea how many people die each year from just getting this crap into their lungs.
Re:Dihydrogen Monoxide *is* a serious threat (Score:3, Funny)
Will have to check after work or between patients.
Possible Johnny Carson quote (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Dihydrogen Monoxide *is* a serious threat (Score:4, Funny)
So says you. I bet all those people die later, and there's no conclusive proof that it wasn't caused by your allegedly "harmless" chemical that they were breathing through their lives.
This has got to be a bigger concern than even HVDC power lines to the paranoid and delusional [wordpress.com]!