Hoax: Sanders ‘glowstick’ actually a recipe for chlorine bomb

An infographic making its way around the internet called “How to Make Bernie Sanders Glowsticks” is actually a recipe for a homemade chlorine bomb. 

The guide, which has been shared on Facebook and Twitter and has made its way to Reddit forums and Tumblr, includes a recipe it says will make small, Bernie-themed blue glowsticks. It says to combine a pool-chlorinating tablet with isopropyl alcohol and mix it in a 2-liter bottle. 

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{mosads}But YouTube videos posted by people who have attempted the combination have shown that the mixture explodes almost immediately. 

“First, peel the label off the 2 liter bottle so you can see that blue glow. then crush up the pool chlorinating tablet and shove the pieces down the heck of the bottle (the smaller the pieces the brighter it will glow but it also won’t last as long.) Finally, pour your trusty isopropyl alcohol into the bottle, cap the bottle TIGHTLY and shake it up. Now just turn out the lights and watch it GLOW! Impress your family and friends with your Bernie Glowsticks,” the instructions read.

The mixture is actually creating a chlorine gas, which explodes in the pressurized bottle and releases the chemicals into the air, according to Mic News.

The graphic, which includes a “Feel the Bern” label, was first posted on a Ponychan messageboard in March, according to Buzzfeed. It has also been posted to Tumblr, with a note warning people not to attempt to make the “glowsticks.” 

“ATTENTION!!! DO NOT DO THIS!!!! IT WILL BURN YOU!!! AND EXPLODE!!!! AND RELEASE CHLORINE GAS WHICH CAN KILL YOU!!!” the Tumblr post reads. 

The meme is also circulating on Reddit forums, according to Mic News, including /r/KillThoseWhoDisagree and /r/EnoughSandersSpam.

The recipe is still being shared, despite the warnings and videos about what the “homemade glowsticks” actually do.