Summary
Dihydrogen monoxide is the name
given to a "colorless and odorless chemical compound" that is pervasive
in the environment. It's also a fancy-pants way of saying water.
Commentary
In 1997, the DHMO hoax was revived by 14-year-old Nathan Zohner who brought it to the public's attention. Zohner petitioned to get DHMO banned as the basis of his science project, titled "How Gullible Are We?" Many people were very gullible, and this hoax occasionally comes back to haunt politicians.
See Also
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MP tries to ban water at The New Zealand Herald for an example of an official who fell for the hoax.
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Dihydrogen Monoxide at Snopes for the email that was circulated on this subject.