# Very pure water dangerous to drink? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 17, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706 "2022-02-17T22:32:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/141 "2022-02-22T23:12:21Z")
That MSDS consists almost entirely of “not applicable”. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/142 "2022-02-22T23:23:09Z")
Yes, I know. It’s a joke, son. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/143 "2022-02-22T23:24:03Z")
never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/144 "2022-02-22T23:26:32Z")
> [@Fozzie\_Dabear](#): > > At truly extreme levels of purity, it does need to be handled with care; see e.g. [https://www.bioind.com/media/documentation/msds/01-866(3).pdf](https://www.bioind.com/media/documentation/msds/01-866(3).pdf) > > Fundamentally H2O is pretty reactive. The stuff we normally meet already has a lot of things dissolved in it which does tend to reduce its reactivity - not sure why. That’s an interesting MSDS. Under “precautionary measures to minimize risks and potential hazards,” the include the following: > 2.4.5 Keep away from heat/hot surfaces/sparks/open flames. No Smoking. > 2.4.6 Use explosion-proof electrical/lighting/ventilation equipment. > 2.4.7 Use only in well-ventilated areas. Do you think maybe any of the other stuff on there is overkill too? It says “may” be harmful if swallowed, and it lists the health hazard level as 1, the lowest nonzero level of hazard. Doesn’t seem like much to worry about here. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/145 "2022-02-22T23:39:30Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Do you think maybe any of the other stuff on there is overkill too? It also lists Extinguishing Media(!): Water spray, dry chemical powder, or appropriate foam. You know, in case you didn’t follow those precautions, and your ultra-pure water caught fire, and needs to be extinguished with water. Presumably less pure. I think @Jackmannii is right, and @Fozzie_Dabear was just making a joke. But the MSDS itself is kind of funny. Like, > 9.8 Vapor Pressure: Not Available. > 9.9 Vapor Density: Not Available. > 9.10 Specific Gravity: Not Available. > 9.11 Evaporation Rate: Not Available. > 9.12 Solubility in Water: Not Available. How is that information not available for _water_?! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/146 "2022-02-23T00:14:23Z")
> 9.1 Appearance: Clear Solution. Solution? Dissolved in what? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/147 "2022-02-23T02:24:14Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Wasn’t “Explodey Osmosis” an animated series? No it’s a rock group. Or ought to be. ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/148 "2022-02-23T03:51:02Z")
Six comments: (1) Why do **some** skating facilities insist on using reverse osmosis, distilled, and/or deionized water for the ice? Because otherwise the ice might be cloudy and obscure an advertisement or logo on the surface underneath the ice for which some sponsor has paid a whole bunch of money just so people will look at it. (2) The reverse osmosis process often wastes a lot of water. Typically, two units of water are wasted for each unit of reverse osmosis water that is produced. (3) Some water purification systems claim to use reverse osmosis but really it is just ultrafiltration. But the marketing people think that “reverse osmosis” sounds much cooler than “filtration”. (4) Very pure water might not be safe to drink because the purification process also removers disinfectant(s) that were previously deliberately introduced into the water to deactivate pathogens. When all the COVID hysteria was at its height, I labeled some water systems “not intended for human consumption” for this reason. I knew everyone was going to drink it anyway when I wasn’t looking so I didn’t bother labeling it “human consumption prohibited.” At least I could say I did something to try to stop the spread of the COVID virus. In reality, very little, if any, COVID transmission is caused by drinking contaminated water. (5) The claim that very pure water will “burn your insides” is complete and utter nonsense. (6) At least in the United States, no one has to worry that a steady intake of very pure water will eventually result in depletion of electrolytes in one’s body. One can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup (or just about anything else Americans eat) will supply enough electrolytes to get you by for a really long time. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/149 "2022-02-23T04:58:24Z")
> [@Ynnad](#): > > Because otherwise the ice might be cloudy and obscure an advertisement or logo on the surface underneath the ice for which some sponsor has paid a whole bunch of money just so people will look at it. My grandfather managed an ice house in the great depression. He got angry when they made cloudy ice. But the cause then was due to the ice freezing too fast and trapping air bubbles in the ice. That wasn’t just a cosmetic defect for him, he knew that cloudy ice would melt more quickly and be of less use to his customers. I’m not sure if he knew the air bubbles were the cause, but he knew the effect. If it was frozen slowly, it was apparently clear because air had time to escape, using the same water source. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/150 "2022-02-23T08:45:44Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > sn’t “Explodey Osmosis” an animated series? I think they opened for Blue Oyster Cult at Las Vegas in the late 90s ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/151 "2022-02-23T10:22:42Z")
Somebody pointed this out earlier, but here are the first aid remedies associated with pure water: Section 4 - First Aid Measures 4.1 Eyes: In case of contact with eyes, flush thoroughly with water. Contact physician. 4.2 Skin: In case of contact with skin, wash the affected area with copious amounts of water. Contact a physician. 4.3 Ingestion: If swallowed, wash out mouth with water provided person is conscious. Contact physician. 4.4 Inhalation: If inhaled, remove person to fresh air. If breathing becomes difficult, contact a physician. 4.5 Puncture Wounds: Wash thoroughly with water. Allow to bleed freely. Contact physician. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/152 "2022-02-23T10:50:30Z")
It says nothing about what you should do if you have already exploded. I feel this is an oversight. ---
**Author:** ![SoToasty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sotoasty/32/2803_2.png) [@SoToasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoToasty)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/153 "2022-02-23T10:54:32Z")
Call coroner. ETA. Use water to clean up ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/154 "2022-02-23T10:54:52Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > How is that information not available for _water_ ?! They don’t even know how to protect us from it! > 8.2 Personal Protective Equipment: > 8.2.1 Respiratory Protection: This is a laboratory-use product for which no industrial protective > equipment has been designated. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/155 "2022-02-23T11:23:05Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > It says nothing about what you should do if you have already exploded. I feel this is an oversight. Most water safety datasheets are normal. [This one](http://dept.harpercollege.edu/chemistry/msds1/Water%20UltraPure%20ScienceLab.pdf), though: > [@](#): > > **Section 4: First Aid Measures** > > […] > > **Serious Ingestion:** Not available. You’re a goner. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/156 "2022-02-23T11:54:54Z")
> [@SoToasty](#): > > Why do people say this stuff about aquariums, freshwater fish and so on. No, your fish won’t explode or die if you use distilled water. If your fish died, it was because you did not acclimate them to the tank or > new water. Even if you did 100% water change, you just need to acclimate your fish to the new conditions. > > Your fish adapt to the conditions they live in. And if you change it, they may not flourish but they will live. People say it because it’s true…? If you actually managed to keep a tank with 100% distilled water with nothing dissolved in it, that would absolutely kill most if not all fish kept in it due to electrolyte loss or gill and/or kidney damage. They’re not going to pop like a balloon or anything dramatic, but neither would they be able to acclimatise. Fish have an osmoregulation system that allows them to adapt to a range of osmotic pressures, but that’s only going to work within limits. Limits vary between species, but actual distilled water would be outside the long-term survivable range for certainly all commonly kept species and probably all fish. Of course, impurities are going to build up fast in any normal tank, and it’s completely fine to use distilled/RO for partial water changes, but if you did place a fish into actual pure distilled water, it wouldn’t last long, even if you did it gradually, and even dissolved solid levels that are too low can cause damage to species from hard-water areas, because their osmoregulation systems are stretched to the limit. Osmoregulation is _[complicated](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109491940200021X?via%3Dihub)_… (hopefully that paper’s actually open access and I’m not just logged in, it’s hard to tell). ---
**Author:** ![michaelfrey288](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@michaelfrey288](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/michaelfrey288)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/157 "2022-02-23T13:45:43Z")
I don’t know much about scientific values but ‘’ as our oldie says drink water direct from rivers or wells, filtering them is not good as for concerned about health ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/158 "2022-02-23T22:09:10Z")
[![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b3gJ42ffL0) ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2022, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/159 "2022-03-01T19:52:13Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > what would happened to a human submerged in a tank of ultrapure water. They’d last a few minutes and then die, probably longer if you gave them some way to breathe. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2022, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706/160 "2022-03-01T20:09:52Z")
This reminds me of Randall Munroe asking his friend (who worked at a nuclear power plant) what would happen if he tried to go swimming in the pools where they stored spent nuclear fuel. His friend thought for a bit and then said “you’d die from the gunshot wounds.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-pure-water-dangerous-to-drink/959706.md?page=9)