My teacher showed this to us in the 9th grade and I was just reminded of it. I couldn't find the actual article but this is what wiki has to say.

The dihydrogen monoxide hoax involves the use of an unfamiliar name for water ("dihydrogen monoxide"), then listing some negative effects of water and asking individuals to help control the seemingly dangerous substance. The hoax is designed to illustrate how the lack of scientific literacy and an exaggerated analysis can lead to misplaced fears.[1] "Dihydrogen monoxide", shortened to "DHMO", is a name for water that is consistent with basic rules of chemical nomenclature,[2] but is not among the names published by IUPAC[3] and is almost never used.

A popular version of the hoax was created by Eric Lechner, Lars Norpchen and Matthew Kaufman, housemates while attending UC Santa Cruz in 1990,[4] revised by Craig Jackson (also a UC Santa Cruz student) in 1994,[5] and brought to widespread public attention in 1997 when Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old student, gathered petitions to ban "DHMO" as the basis of his science project, titled "How Gullible Are We?"[6]

This is what the original creator wrote:

CONT AMINA TION W ARNING!
Recently, it has been discovered that our water system has been contaminated with a hazardous chemical. This chemical is colorless, odorless, tasteless and dissolves completely in water. No action has been taken regarding this dangerous contamination. The substance is dihydrogen monoxide, and has the following properties:
• It is used as an industrial solvent and coolant, and is used in the production of styrofoam.
• It is used in many forms of animal research. • It is used in the distribution of pesticides. • It is an integral part of the operation of nuclear power plants. • It accelerates corrosion and rusting. • It contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape. • Inhalation of this substance has been shown to cause death. • In certain forms, this chemical can cause severe burns, cloud the atmosphere, and
may contribute to the “greenhouse effect.” It can also damage concrete and glass, as well as the surfaces of roadways. It may also be related to electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
• It may have been a factor in the destruction of the Space Shuttle “Challenger.”
• It has been directly linked to thousands of deaths in third-world countries, especially those countries which do not have the resources to properly deal with the threat, or treat people who have come in contact with it.
• Quantities of this substance have been found in our rivers, lakes, streams, oceans, reservoirs, and now our local water system. It has also permeated the atmosphere, and has contaminated ground water.
• No current form of water purification can completely eliminate the deadly substance.
• Our government has spent millions of dollars to try to control and contain this dangerous chemical.
• Every day, hundreds of secret research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network. Many store large quantities for later use.
• Several government agencies are tracking the degree of contamination throughout the world.
• This administration has refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to its “importance to the economic health of this nation.”
Act now to prevent further contamination. Find out more about this dangerous chemical. What you don't know CAN hurt you and others throughout the world.

He apparently won a science fair due it too. I thought it was pretty funny.

Yeah, I knew about this. Stupid assholes who actually signed the petition against H2O and pretended they knew what they were talking about...

No that's not what they were doing. They were just being told the facts and thought it was dangerous. The point was to show how people can twist things and make the public fear something that shouldn't be feared at all.

I know. I should have formulated myself better. I was talking about the public who actually thought H2O was a dangerous chemical.

It is worrying how easily people believe things

Yea, this is quite brilliant.
It makes me think of my Ontime Hormone Gag

Your what?

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5475
Thats the article and if you google the title you will see that its spread around a bit

heck lets ban dioxide while we're at it
the dangerous DOX gas, dissolves in air

I would fall for this!
But it is a good joke.