DHMO: A Killer in China's Midst?

When it comes to public health issues in China, a lot of images spring to mind. Industrial pollution, access to clean drinking water, discarded Japanese chemical weapons, and even imported health issues such as obesity, heart disease and sexually transmitted diseases.

However, while all of the above are making the headlines, one of the most serious threats to Chinese health is largely being ignored. This being the issue of DiHydrogen Monoxide. A substance which accounts for 10s of thousands of deaths each year. Yet has attracted little government attention.

DHMO

DiHydrogen Monoxide, also known as DHMO, is a colorless odorless substance that exists as a liquid at room temperature, but which can easily become aerosolized during spraying, or hot summers periods. It is used extensively within the Chinese agricultural sector; where it has become synonymous with rice growing, as well as in industry; where it is often used as a coolant or solvent.

DHMO is used around the world, including in Japan and Korea; where it is used for commercial rice growing. The US, where it is commonly used to encourage grass growth on golf courses, and Iraq, where it was used during the production of chemical and biological weapons.

Health Effects

Although DHMO is not dangerous in low doses it can be fatal if taken into the stomach or lungs in sufficient quantity.

If ingested in high enough quantities, DHMO causes in the body's cells to swell and cease to function properly, ultimately leading to them rupturing. It also dilutes the electrolytes in the blood causing mental impairment. Typical symptoms of DHMO poisoning include nausea, vomiting and headaches, and confusion. Once symptoms appear, death often follows quickly.

If allowed to enter the lung, DHMO inhibits the body's ability to extract oxygen from the air. Resulting in unconsciousness in 2-3 minutes, and death in 5 minutes. Symptoms are consistent with asphyxiation, though the properties of DHMO make resuscitation impossible until it is removed from the lungs.

DHMO is most dangerous when inhaled.

Total Deaths?

According to Official statistic from the Chinese Ministry of Health, DHMO caused 57,000 deaths during 2004 alone. However, these Official statistics are disputed by the WHO, which puts the true figure closer to 112,000. Or 25% of the world's estimated DHMO deaths for that period.

Beijing's figures were reached by a sampling method that monitored DHMO deaths in a number of locations, known as "sentinel sites", and then used the data gathered them to extrapolate estimated deaths nationwide. Most "sentinel sites" were located in Central and Eastern, and covered only 10% of the Mainland population.

Child Deaths?

According to the figures gathered by the Chinese Ministry of Health, 44% all urban child deaths, and 58% of all rural child deaths during 2004, were directly attributable to DHMO. Making it the single biggest killer of children in China. Accounting for more fatalities among under 15s than traffic accidents, communicable diseases, industrial pollution, or Japan. (http://www.chinadevelopmentbrief.com/node/446)

Prevention

The problem of child fatalities became so serious that, in 2005, UNICEF set up a DHMO safety campaign in conjunction with China's Working Committee for Women and Children.

Working in the Pinggu and Haidian Districts of Beijing, the campaign established 'the four safes' "safe community, safe home, safe school, safe kindergarten"in an effort to ensure that children were not exposed to DHMO related risks. The initiative also moved to establish training programs to teach parents supervision skills for preschool children in order to prevent accidental exposure to DHMO, as well as programs to educate children about DHMO safety. (http://www.chinadevelopmentbrief.com/node/446)

Status Quo?

At present, China has few regulations governing the sale or use of DHMO, and it remains common for it to be used to promote plant/crop growth in areas close to schools, and even inside children's recreation areas.

What legislation exists governing DHMO generally covers industrial use only, and is primarily designed to prevent shortages during peak usage periods, or to ensure its purity.

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