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{{short description|Industrial bleach illegally marketed as a cure for various illnesses}}
'''Miracle Mineral Supplement''', often referred to as '''Miracle Mineral Solution''', '''Master Mineral Solution''', or '''MMS''', is a ] solution of 28% ] in ]. The product contains essentially the same ingredient as industrial-strength ] before "activation" with a food-grade acid. The name was first coined by Jim Humble in his 2006 ]ed book, ''The Miracle Mineral Solution of the 21st Century''.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Miracle Mineral Solution of the 21st Century|publisher=Jim Humble|year=2006|author=Jim Humble}} (self published)</ref> A more dilute version is marketed as '''Chlorine Dioxide Solution (CDS)'''.<ref name="FSAcds"> {{cite press release |publisher= ] |date= July 3, 2012 |title= Agency warning on chlorine solutions |url= http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/news/2012/jul/cdswarning#.UJ8EzIawUzQ |accessdate= November 11, 2012 }}</ref>
{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc}}
MMS is promoted as a cure for ], ], ], the ] ], ]s, ], ], and more. There have been no clinical trials to provide evidence in support of these claims, which come only from anecdotal reports and Humble's book.<ref></ref><ref name="calligeros1">{{cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/backyard-cancer-healer-deceived-patients-20090423-agcy.html|title=Backyard cancer 'healer' deceived patients|last=Calligeros|first=Marissa|date=24 April 2009|publisher=The Brisbine Times|accessdate=28 December 2009}}</ref> In January 2010, ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' reported that one vendor admitted that they do not repeat any of Humble's claims in writing to circumvent regulations against using it as a medicine.<ref name="sst2010">{{cite news | first = Sarah | last = Harvey | title = 'Miracle' chemical dubbed a danger | date = 2010-01-24 | url = http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/3257504/Miracle-chemical-dubbed-a-danger | work = Sunday Star Times | accessdate = 2012-06-12}}</ref> Sellers sometimes describe MMS as a ] so as to circumvent medical regulations.<ref name="smh2010">{{cite news | first = Erik | last = Jensen | title = Deadly chemical being sold as miracle cure | date = 2010-01-09 | url = http://www.smh.com.au/national/deadly-chemical-being-sold-as-miracle-cure-20100108-lyvl.html | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | accessdate = 2011-02-18}}</ref>
{{redirect|Chlorine Dioxide Solution|the chemical compound|Chlorine dioxide}}
{{Redirect|Genesis II Church of Health and Healing|other uses|Genesis II (disambiguation){{!}}Genesis 2}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}


{{Infobox pseudoscience
When citric acid or other food acid is used to "activate" MMS as described in its instructions,<ref></ref> the mixture produces an aqueous solution containing ], a toxin and a potent ] used in the treatment of water and in bleaching.<ref name="fda.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm220747.htm |title=FDA Warns Consumers of Serious Harm from Drinking Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) |publisher=] | accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref> The ] has set a maximum level of 0.8&nbsp;mg/L for chlorine dioxide in drinking water.<ref>{{cite web|title=ATSDR: ToxFAQs™ for Chlorine Dioxide and Chlorite|url=http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=581&tid=108}}</ref> Naren Gunja, director of the ] Poisons Information Centre, has stated that using the product is "a bit like drinking concentrated bleach" and that users have displayed symptoms consistent with corrosive injuries, such as vomiting, stomach pains, and diarrhea.<ref>{{cite news | first = Erik | last = Jensen | title = Deadly chemical being sold as miracle cure | date = 2010-01-09 | url = http://www.smh.com.au/national/deadly-chemical-being-sold-as-miracle-cure-20100108-lyvl.html | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | accessdate = 2012-01-24}}</ref>
| name = Miracle Mineral Supplement
| image = Miracle Mineral Supplement.jpg
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption =
| claims = Internal use of industrial bleaching agent ] will cure most diseases.
| topics =
| origyear =
| origprop = Jim Humble
| currentprop =
| notableprop =
}}
{{Pseudomedicine sidebar|fringe}}
'''Miracle Mineral Supplement''', often referred to as '''Miracle Mineral Solution''', '''Master Mineral Solution''', '''MMS''' or the '''CD protocol''',<ref name="Siruck">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/parents-are-giving-their-children-bleach-enemas-to-cure-them-of-autism-311|title=The Parents Who Give Their Children Bleach Enemas to 'Cure' Them of Autism|work=VICE|author=Stefan Sirucek|date=12 March 2015|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref> is a branded name for an aqueous solution of ], an industrial ], that has been falsely promoted as a cure for illnesses including ], ] and the ]. It is made by mixing aqueous ] with an acid (such as the juices of ] fruits or vinegar). This produces chlorine dioxide, a toxic chemical that can cause ], ], ], and life-threatening ] due to ].<ref name="FDA 2019 Warning"/>


], the main constituent of MMS, is a toxic chemical<ref>{{cite web|title=Sodium Chlorite - Summary Report of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products - Veterinary Medicines Evaluation Unit |publisher=] |url=http://www.emea.europa.eu/pdfs/vet/mrls/sodiumchlorite.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_74-eng.php |title=Health risks associated with use of Miracle Mineral Solution |publisher=]|date=12 May 2010 |accessdate=2011-02-17}}</ref> that can cause acute ]<ref>{{cite journal | pmid = 8290712 | volume=15 | issue=5 | title=Acute sodium chlorite poisoning associated with renal failure | year=1993 | author=Lin JL, Lim PS | journal=Ren Fail | pages=645–8 | doi = 10.3109/08860229309069417}}</ref> if ingested. Small amounts of about 1&nbsp;gram can be expected to cause ], ] and even life-threatening ] in persons who are deficient in ]. ], the main precursor to chlorine dioxide, is itself toxic if ingested.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sodium Chlorite - Summary Report of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products - Veterinary Medicines Evaluation Unit |publisher=] |url=http://www.emea.europa.eu/pdfs/vet/mrls/sodiumchlorite.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710214037/http://www.emea.europa.eu/pdfs/vet/mrls/sodiumchlorite.pdf |archive-date=10 July 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_74-eng.php |title=Health risks associated with use of Miracle Mineral Solution |publisher=]|date=12 May 2010 |access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> It causes acute ] in high doses.<ref>{{cite journal | pmid = 8290712 | volume=15 | issue=5 | title=Acute sodium chlorite poisoning associated with renal failure | year=1993 |vauthors=Lin JL, Lim PS | journal=Ren Fail | pages=645–8 | doi = 10.3109/08860229309069417}}</ref> Lower doses (~1&nbsp;gram) can be expected to cause ], ], inflammation of the intestines (producing so-called "]") and even life-threatening reactions in persons with ].

The ] has set a maximum level of 0.8&nbsp;mg/L for chlorine dioxide in drinking water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=581&tid=108|title=ATSDR - ToxFAQs™: Chlorine Dioxide & Chlorite|website=www.atsdr.cdc.gov}}</ref> Naren Gunja, director of the ], Australia Poisons Information Centre, has stated that using the product is "a bit like drinking concentrated ]" and that users have displayed symptoms consistent with corrosive injuries, such as vomiting, stomach pains, and diarrhea.<ref name="smh2010"/><ref name="Mole">{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/08/the-fda-warns-not-to-drink-bleach-in-case-you-needed-that-reminder/|title=People are still drinking bleach—and vomiting and pooping their guts out|last=Mole|first=Beth|date=14 August 2019|website=Ars Technica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816194650/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/08/the-fda-warns-not-to-drink-bleach-in-case-you-needed-that-reminder/|archive-date=16 August 2019|url-status=live|access-date=16 August 2019}}</ref>

The name was coined by former ]<ref name=ne&ya/> Jim Humble in his 2006 ]ed book, ''The Miracle Mineral Solution of the 21st Century''.<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Robbins |first=Martin |date=15 September 2010 |title=The man who encourages the sick and dying to drink industrial bleach |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2010/sep/15/miracle-mineral-solutions-mms-bleach |access-date=20 July 2020 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Humble claims that the chemical can cure ], ], ], the ] ], ]s, ], ], ] and other illnesses. There have been no clinical trials to test these claims, and they come only from anecdotal reports and Humble's book.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm152422.htm|title=F.D.A. Warning letter|website=]}}</ref><ref name="calligeros1">{{cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/backyard-cancer-healer-deceived-patients-20090423-agcy.html|title=Backyard cancer 'healer' deceived patients|last=Calligeros|first=Marissa|date=24 April 2009|work=]|access-date=28 December 2009|archive-date=31 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831172024/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/backyard-cancer-healer-deceived-patients-20090423-agcy.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In January 2010, '']'' reported that one vendor admitted that they do not repeat any of Humble's claims in writing to circumvent regulations against using it as a medicine.<ref name="sst2010">{{cite news | first = Sarah | last = Harvey | title = 'Miracle' chemical dubbed a danger | date = 24 January 2010 | url = http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/3257504/Miracle-chemical-dubbed-a-danger | work = ] | access-date = 12 June 2012}}</ref> Sellers sometimes describe MMS as a ] to circumvent medical regulations.<ref name="smh2010">{{cite news | first = Erik | last = Jensen | title = Deadly chemical being sold as miracle cure | date = 9 January 2010 | url = http://www.smh.com.au/national/deadly-chemical-being-sold-as-miracle-cure-20100108-lyvl.html | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | access-date = 18 February 2011}}</ref> The ] rejected "in the strongest terms" reports by promoters of MMS that they had used the product to fight malaria.<ref>{{cite press release |publisher= ] |date= 15 May 2013 |title= IFRC strongly dissociates from the claim of a 'miracle' solution to defeat malaria |url= http://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-media/opinions-and-positions/opinion-pieces/2013/ifrc-strongly-dissociates-from-the-claim-of-a-miracle-solution-to-defeat-malaria/ |access-date= 25 October 2014 |archive-date= 24 February 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210224162551/https://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-media/opinions-and-positions/opinion-pieces/2013/ifrc-strongly-dissociates-from-the-claim-of-a-miracle-solution-to-defeat-malaria/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> In 2016, Humble said that MMS "cures nothing".<ref>{{cite news | first = Cindi | last = Galli | title = Fringe 'Church' Founder on MMS: It's No Cure | date = 29 October 2016 | url = https://abcnews.go.com/Health/fringe-church-founder-mms-cure/story?id=43158439 | work = ABCNews.com | access-date = 21 May 2019}}</ref> In August 2019, the ] repeated a 2010 warning against using MMS products, describing it as "the same as drinking bleach".<ref name="FDA 2019 Warning">{{cite web |last1=Food and Drug Administration |author-link1=Food and Drug Administration |title=FDA warns consumers about the dangerous and potentially life threading side effects of Miracle Mineral Solution |url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-consumers-about-dangerous-and-potentially-life-threating-side-effects-miracle-mineral |website=fda.gov |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814102219/https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-consumers-about-dangerous-and-potentially-life-threating-side-effects-miracle-mineral |archive-date=14 August 2019 |language=en |date=12 August 2019}}</ref>


==Safety and legal issues== ==Safety and legal issues==
'']'' has described MMS as "extremely nasty stuff, and the medical advice given is that anyone who has this product should stop using it immediately and throw it away. In Canada it was banned after causing a life-threatening reaction."<ref>{{cite news | first = Martin | last = Robbins | title = The man who encourages the sick and dying to drink industrial bleach | date = 2010-09-15 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/sep/15/miracle-mineral-solutions-mms-bleach | work = The Guardian | accessdate = 2012-01-25}}</ref> In August 2009, a Mexican woman travelling with her American husband on their yacht in ] took MMS as a preventative for malaria. Within 15 minutes she was ill, and within twelve hours she was dead. The island nation's public prosecutor, Kayleen Tavoa, did not press any charges as there were no specific laws banning the importation of MMS, but advised, "While every case is assessed on its own merits, I advise that any person who misuses MMS in Vanuatu in the future would be likely to face prosecution for potentially serious criminal offences. No person should ever give MMS to another person to drink without advising them of what it is they are drinking and of the serious risks to health that may arise if they decide to drink the mixture."<ref>{{Cite news |last= Gibson |first= Joel |publication-date= January 9, 2010 |title= Death in paradise |newspaper= ] |issn= 03126315 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/national/death-in-paradise-20100108-lyxv.html |accessdate= February 11, 2012 |postscript= <!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}} }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |publication-date= November 10, 2010 |title= Prosecutor decides no charges can be laid in case of death linked to MMS |newspaper= Vanuatu Daily Post |publisher= The Trading Post |url= http://www.dailypost.vu/content/prosecutor-decides-no-charges-can-be-laid-case-death-linked-mms |accessdate= February 11, 2012 |postscript= <!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}} }}</ref> '']'' described MMS as "extremely nasty stuff, and the medical advice given is that anyone who has this product should stop using it immediately and throw it away. In Canada it was banned after causing a life-threatening reaction."<ref name="Guardian" /> In August 2009, a Mexican woman travelling with her American husband on a yacht in ] took MMS to supposedly prevent malaria. She fell ill within 15 minutes, and died within 12 hours. The island nation's public prosecutor, Kayleen Tavoa, did not press any charges as there were no specific laws banning the importation of MMS, but advised, "While every case is assessed on its own merits, I advise that any person who misuses MMS in Vanuatu in the future would be likely to face prosecution for potentially serious criminal offences. No person should ever give MMS to another person to drink without advising them of what it is they are drinking and of the serious risks to health that may arise if they decide to drink the mixture."<ref>{{Cite news |last= Gibson |first= Joel |date= 9 January 2010 |title= Death in paradise |newspaper= ] |issn= 0312-6315 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/national/death-in-paradise-20100108-lyxv.html |access-date= 11 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214180619/http://www.smh.com.au/national/death-in-paradise-20100108-lyxv.html |archive-date=14 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date= 10 November 2010 |title= Prosecutor decides no charges can be laid in case of death linked to MMS |newspaper= Vanuatu Daily Post |publisher= The Trading Post |url= http://www.dailypost.vu/content/prosecutor-decides-no-charges-can-be-laid-case-death-linked-mms |access-date= 11 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223420/http://www.dailypost.vu/content/prosecutor-decides-no-charges-can-be-laid-case-death-linked-mms |archive-date=2 December 2013 }}</ref>


In 2008, a 60-year-old Canadian man was hospitalized after a life-threatening response to MMS.<ref>{{cite news |title= Sketchy supplements on Calgary website prompt Health Canada warning |first= Renato |last= Gandia |url= http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/02/15/sketchy-supplements-on-calgary-website-prompt-health-canada-warning |newspaper= ] |date= February 15, 2012 |accessdate = February 21, 2012 }}</ref> Following a May 2010 advisory which indicated that MMS exceeds levels deemed to be safe by a factor of 200,<ref>{{cite press release |publisher= ] |date= May 12, 2010 |title= Health risks associated with use of Miracle Mineral Solution |url= http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_74-eng.php |accessdate= February 21, 2012 }}</ref> a Calgary based supplier briefly stopped distribution. A February 2012 warning, which resulted in one website shutting down, advised: "There are no therapeutic products containing sodium chlorite authorized for oral consumption by humans in Canada."<ref>{{cite press release |publisher= ] |date= February 15, 2012 |title= Sodium chlorite solution not authorized for oral consumption by humans |url= http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2012/2012_21-eng.php |accessdate= February 21, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite document |last= Tobin |first= Anne-Marie |publication-date= February 15, 2012 |title= Website shut down after selling product called MMS |work= ] |publisher = Shaw Media |url= http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/website+shut+down+after+selling+product+called+mms/6442581915/story.html |accessdate= February 21, 2012 |postscript= <!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}} }}</ref> In the UK, the ] also has released a warning, following the initial warning from Health Canada and a similar warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in which they stated that "MMS is a 28% sodium chlorite solution which is equivalent to industrial-strength bleach. When taken as directed it could cause severe ], vomiting and ], potentially leading to ] and ]. If the solution is diluted less than instructed, it could cause damage to the gut and red blood cells, potentially resulting in ]."<ref>{{cite web In 2008, a 60-year-old Canadian man was hospitalized after a life-threatening response to MMS.<ref>{{cite news |title= Sketchy supplements on Calgary website prompt Health Canada warning |first= Renato |last= Gandia |url= http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/02/15/sketchy-supplements-on-calgary-website-prompt-health-canada-warning |newspaper= ] |date= 15 February 2012 |access-date= 21 February 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131102225152/http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/02/15/sketchy-supplements-on-calgary-website-prompt-health-canada-warning |archive-date= 2 November 2013 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Following a May 2010 advisory which indicated that MMS exceeds tolerable levels of sodium chlorite by a factor of 200,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2010/13510a-eng.php|title=Health Risks Associated with Use of Miracle Mineral Solution|website=healthycanadians.gc.ca|access-date=25 February 2019}}</ref> a Calgary-based supplier briefly stopped distribution. A February 2012 warning, which resulted in one website shutting down, advised: "There are no therapeutic products containing sodium chlorite authorized for oral consumption by humans in Canada."<ref>{{cite press release |publisher= ] |date= 15 February 2012 |title= Sodium chlorite solution not authorized for oral consumption by humans |url= http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2012/2012_21-eng.php |access-date= 21 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last= Tobin |first= Anne-Marie |date= 15 February 2012 |title= Website shut down after selling product called MMS |journal= ] |publisher = Shaw Media |url= http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/website+shut+down+after+selling+product+called+mms/6442581915/story.html |access-date= 21 February 2012 }}{{dead link|date=March 2021}}</ref> In the UK, the ] released a warning, following the initial warnings from Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, stating that "MMS is a 28% sodium chlorite solution which is equivalent to industrial-strength bleach. When taken as directed it could cause severe nausea, vomiting and ], potentially leading to ] and ]. If the solution is diluted less than instructed, it could cause damage to the gut and red blood cells, potentially resulting in ]."<ref>{{cite web
| author=Food Standards Agency | author=Food Standards Agency
| url=http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2010/sep/mms | url=http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2010/sep/mms
| title= Warning against consumption of Miracle Mineral Solution | title=Warning against consumption of Miracle Mineral Solution
| access-date=24 September 2010
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11404218 | work=BBC News | title=Alert issued on danger supplement | date=2010-09-24}}</ref> More dilute versions have potential to do harm, although it is less likely. The Food Standards Agency has since reiterated their warning on MMS and extended it to include CDS.<ref name="FSAcds" /><ref></ref>
| archive-date=20 May 2012
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520125838/http://food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2010/sep/mms
| url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11404218 | work=BBC News | title=Alert issued on danger supplement | date=24 September 2010}}</ref> More dilute versions have potential to do harm, although it is less likely. The Food Standards Agency has since reiterated their warning on MMS and extended it to include CDS.<ref name="FSAcds">{{cite press release |publisher=UK ] |date= 3 July 2012 |title= Agency warning on chlorine solutions |url= http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/news/2012/jul/cdswarning#.UJ8EzIawUzQ |access-date= 11 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jul/04/government-warning-internet-remedies|title=Bleach-based cure-all online remedies could kill, warns government|first=Rebecca|last=Smithers|date=4 July 2012|work=The Guardian}}</ref>


Sellers attribute the vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea to the product working, but it is simply the product's toxicity.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://moh.gov.ms/?p=803 |title= Product Warning: Miracle Mineral Solution |publisher= Ministry of Health |location= Montserrat |accessdate= December 9, 2012 }}</ref> Sellers attribute the vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea to the product working, but it is actually the product's toxicity.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://moh.gov.ms/?p=803 |title= Product Warning: Miracle Mineral Solution |publisher= Ministry of Health |location= Montserrat |access-date= 9 December 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130606115516/http://moh.gov.ms/?p=803 |archive-date= 6 June 2013 |url-status= dead }}</ref>


In December 2009, an alert was issued by the Belgian Poison Control Centre to the ]. In response, an evaluation was performed by the French "Comité de coordination de toxicovigilance" in March 2010, warning about a dose dependent irritation and possible toxic effects. They also warned that patients affected by serious diseases could be tempted to stop their treatments in favour of this alternative treatment.<ref>{{Cite web In December 2009, an alert was issued by the Belgian Poison Control Centre to the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. In response, an evaluation was performed by the French ''Comité de Coordination de Toxicovigilance'' in March 2010, warning about dose-dependent irritation and possible toxic effects. They also warned that patients affected by serious diseases could be tempted to stop their treatments in favour of this fraudulent treatment.<ref>{{Cite web
| title=Evaluation des risques liés à la consommation du produit dénommé "Solution Minérale Miracle" (MMS) | title=Evaluation des risques liés à la consommation du produit dénommé "Solution Minérale Miracle" (MMS)
| url=http://www.centres-antipoison.net/CCTV/Rapport_CCTV_Solution_minerale_miracle_2010.pdf | url=http://www.centres-antipoison.net/CCTV/Rapport_CCTV_Solution_minerale_miracle_2010.pdf
| publisher=Comité de coordination de Toxicovigilance | publisher=Comité de coordination de Toxicovigilance
| date=March 2010}}</ref> | date=March 2010
| access-date=31 October 2011
A similar notice was released in July 2010 by the ] warning that the instructions for preparing the solution by mixing it with an acidic solution, or even orange juice, would produce ], "a potent bleach used for stripping textiles and industrial water treatment." Because of reports including nausea, vomiting, and dangerously ] as a result of dehydration following instructed use, the FDA has advised consumers to dispose of the product immediately.<ref name="fda.gov" />
| archive-date=24 October 2019
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024000123/http://www.centres-antipoison.net/CCTV/Rapport_CCTV_Solution_minerale_miracle_2010.pdf
| url-status=dead
}}</ref>


A similar notice was released in July 2010 by the ] warning that MMS, which is prepared by mixing ] solution with an ] (such as the juice of ] fruits), produces chlorine dioxide, "a potent bleach used for stripping textiles and industrial water treatment." Because of reports including severe nausea, vomiting, and dangerously ] as a result of dehydration following consuming MMS, the FDA has advised consumers to stop using the product and dispose of it immediately.<ref name="fda.gov">{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm220747.htm|title=FDA Warns Consumers of Serious Harm from Drinking Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS)|publisher=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803203556/https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm220747.htm|archive-date=3 August 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=30 July 2010}}</ref> The FDA released another warning in August 2019, saying that it has continued to receive reports of illness caused by consuming MMS.<ref name="Mole"/>
MMS is not approved for the treatment of any disease and according to the ], chronic exposure to small doses of chlorine dioxide could cause reproductive and neurodevelopmental damage.<ref>{{cite web

| url=http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0648.htm
MMS is not approved for the treatment of any disease and, according to the ], chronic exposure to small doses of chlorine dioxide could cause reproductive and neurodevelopmental damage.<ref>{{cite web
| url=https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris/iris_documents/documents/subst/0648_summary.pdf
| title=Chlorite (sodium salt) (CASRN 7758-19-2) &#124; IRIS &#124; US EPA | title=Chlorite (sodium salt) (CASRN 7758-19-2) &#124; IRIS &#124; US EPA
| publisher=Epa.gov | publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency
| website=Epa.gov
| accessdate=2010-04-07
| access-date=3 May 2020
}}</ref> A short term study found no effects in hematological or urine chemistry or in physical symptoms in human volunteers over a period of 84 days.<ref>{{cite web
}}</ref> While studies of chlorine dioxide effects in humans are rare, studies on animal subjects are more common; chlorine dioxide has been shown to impair thyroid function and reduce ]<sup>+</sup> ] count in ] monkeys after 6 months.<ref>{{cite journal
| url=http://www.epa.gov/NCEA/iris/subst/0496.htm
| pmc=1569048
| title=Chlorine dioxide (CASRN 10049-04-4) &#124; IRIS &#124; US EPA
| title=Subchronic toxicity of chlorine dioxide and related compounds in drinking water in the nonhuman primate
| publisher=Epa.gov
| date=25 February 2010
| accessdate=2010-04-07
}}</ref> While studies of chlorine dioxide effects in humans are rare, studies on animal subjects are more common; chlorine dioxide has been shown to impair thyroid function and reduce ]<sup>+</sup> ] count in ] monkeys after 6 months.<ref>{{cite journal
| pmc=1569048
| title=Subchronic toxicity of chlorine dioxide and related compounds in drinking water in the nonhuman primate
| date=2010-02-25
| pmid=7151767 | pmid=7151767
| volume=46 | volume=46
| author=Bercz JP, Jones L, Garner L, Murray D, Ludwig DA, Boston J |vauthors=Bercz JP, Jones L, Garner L, Murray D, Ludwig DA, Boston J | journal=Environ. Health Perspect.
| journal=Environ. Health Perspect.
| pages=47–55 | pages=47–55
| doi=10.1289/ehp.824647 | doi=10.1289/ehp.824647
}}</ref> Another study in rats resulted in reduced red blood cells count when exposed to 100&nbsp;mg/L of chlorine dioxide concentration in their drinking water, after 3 months.<ref>{{cite journal }}</ref> A study found reduced red blood cell count in rats exposed to 100&nbsp;mg/L of chlorine dioxide concentration in their drinking water, after 3 months.<ref>{{cite journal
| title=Toxicity of Chlorine Dioxide in Drinking Water | title=Toxicity of Chlorine Dioxide in Drinking Water
| journal=International Journal of Toxicology | journal=International Journal of Toxicology
| date=July 1984 | date=July 1984
| volume=3 | volume=3
| issue=4 | issue=4
| pages=277–284 | pages=277–284
| doi=10.3109/10915818409009082 | doi=10.3109/10915818409009082
| last1=Abdel-Rahman
}}</ref> The ] restricts occupational exposure through inhalation of chlorine dioxide to 0.1&nbsp;ppm since concentrations at 10&nbsp;ppm resulted in deaths in rats, after 10 days while a case where a worker was accidentally exposed to 19&nbsp;ppm resulted in death.<ref name=osha >{{cite web
| first1=M. S.
| url=http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0116.pdf |format=pdf
| last2=Couri
| title=Chlorine Dioxide | publisher=U.S. ]
| first2=D.
| accessdate=2010-04-07
| last3=Bull
}}</ref> According to the same organisation, "chlorine dioxide is a severe respiratory and eye irritant in humans".<ref name=osha/>
| first3=R. J.
| pmid=4067828
| s2cid=23243725
| doi-access=free
}}</ref> The ] restricts occupational exposure through inhalation of chlorine dioxide to 0.1&nbsp;ppm since concentrations at 10&nbsp;ppm resulted in death in rats after 10&nbsp;days, and a worker accidentally exposed to 19&nbsp;ppm died.<ref name=osha >{{cite web
| url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0116.pdf | title=Chlorine Dioxide | publisher=U.S. ]
| access-date=7 April 2010
}}</ref> According to the same organization, "chlorine dioxide is a severe respiratory and eye irritant in humans".<ref name=osha/>

===COVID-19===
{{See also|Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic}}

During the ] many previous promoters of MMS for other diseases, such as ] proponent Jordan Sather and the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, began touting it as a cure for ]. However, the claim that MMS can cure COVID-19, or any other disease, is not based on any scientific evidence.<ref name="bleach">{{cite news|last=Sommer|first=Will|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/qanon-conspiracy-theorists-magic-cure-for-coronavirus-is-drinking-lethal-bleach|title=QAnon-ers' Magic Cure for Coronavirus: Just Drink Bleach!|date=28 January 2020|newspaper=]|access-date=14 February 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210223501/https://www.thedailybeast.com/qanon-conspiracy-theorists-magic-cure-for-coronavirus-is-drinking-lethal-bleach|archive-date=10 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/01/qanon-supporters-are-drinking-bleach-to-fend-off-coronavirus.html|title=QAnon Influencers Are Encouraging Their Followers to Drink Bleach to Stave Off Coronavirus|last=Stieb|first=Matt|date=28 January 2020|publisher=New York Magazine}}</ref> The office of the ] filed for and received a preliminary injunction against its sale by another branch of the church which was using anonymous testimonials and appealing to ] to explicitly market MMS as a cure for COVID-19.<ref>{{citation |title= Feds go after self-described church in Florida selling bleaching agent as cure for COVID-19 |last1= Quinn |first1= Melissa |last2= Legare |first2= Legare |last3= Hymes |first3= Clare |date= 17 April 2020 |work= CBS News |url= https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-church-coronavirus-bleaching-agent-cure-covid-19/ |access-date= 20 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title= Federal Judge halts sale of industrial bleach as Covid-19 cure from South Florida Church |last= Stockler |first= Asher |date= 18 April 2020 |work= Newsweek |url= https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-food-drug-administration-bleach-1498751 |access-date= 20 April 2020}}</ref> That July, the court issued orders to shut down all websites selling MMS, to prevent the church from creating new websites, and to confiscate all materials used to make MMS. Multiple agencies were involved in the seizure of 50 gallons of ], 8,300 pounds of sodium chlorite, and 22 gallons of finished product. The church was also instructed to notify customers that the product distribution had been illegal.<ref>{{citation |title= Federal agencies, hazmat crews respond to Florida church selling COVID-19 'miracle solution' |date= 8 July 2020 |work= mysuncoast.com |url= https://www.mysuncoast.com/2020/07/08/federal-agencies-hazmat-crews-respond-bradenton-church-selling-covid-miracle-solution/ |access-date= 8 July 2020}}</ref> Mark Grenon and his sons, Jonathan Grenon, Jordan Grenon, and Joseph Grenon were charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to violate the ], and criminal contempt.<ref>{{citation |title= Bradenton men charged, accused of selling toxic 'miracle' bleach to cure COVID-19 |date= 8 July 2020 |work= wtsp.com |url= https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/miracle-mineral-solution-genesis-ii-church-of-health-and-healing/67-b33b7f2e-2b0c-4853-8434-90732359d730 |access-date= 8 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=The Family Behind the Covid Bleach Cure Was Making a Fortune|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-06-29/covid-bleach-cure-how-operation-quack-hack-took-down-the-genesis-ii-church|access-date=6 July 2021|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=29 June 2021}}</ref> Mark and Joseph Grenon were arrested in ] in August 2020 and were extradited to the United States.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pilkington|first=Ed|date=12 August 2020|title='Archbishop' of Florida church selling bleach 'miracle cure' arrested with son|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/12/mark-grenon-archbishop-florida-church-selling-bleach-miracle-cure-arrested-son|url-status=live|access-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813185511/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/12/mark-grenon-archbishop-florida-church-selling-bleach-miracle-cure-arrested-son|archive-date=13 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Butterfield |first=Michelle |date=21 July 2023 |title='Snake oil salesmen': Florida family convicted of selling bleach as fake COVID cure |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9846649/mark-grenon-family-covid-cure-bleach-guilty-florida/ |access-date=22 July 2023 |website=Global News |language=}}</ref> On 21 July 2023, they were found guilty of defrauding the United States, distributing an unapproved drug, and distributing a misbranded drug. In October 2023, Mark and Joseph Grenon received sentences of 60 months, and Jonathan and Jordan Grenon were also convicted of contempt of court and received 151 months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/health/2023/10/florida-men-sentenced-to-years-in-prison-for-selling-bleach-as-miracle-cure/|title="Church of Bleach" family gets years in prison for deadly "miracle" solution|website=Ars Technica|date=9 October 2023 }}</ref><ref name="doj-sentencing">{{cite news |title=Leaders of "Genesis II Church of Health and Healing," who sold toxic bleach as fake "Miracle" cure for COVID-19 and other serious diseases, sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison {{!}} United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/leaders-genesis-ii-church-health-and-healing-who-sold-toxic-bleach-fake-miracle-cure |access-date=8 October 2023 |work=www.justice.gov |date=6 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="sentencing">{{cite news |last1=Barr |first1=Luke |last2=Deliso |first2=Meredith |title=Florida family sentenced to federal prison for selling 'dangerous,' fake COVID-19 cure: DOJ |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-family-sentenced-fake-covid-19-cure/story?id=103792447 |access-date=8 October 2023 |work=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>

==== Bolivia ====
In ], officials in ] promoted MMS as a cure for COVID-19 and the Congress passed a bill to authorise "manufacture, marketing, supply and use of chlorine dioxide solution for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus". At least 15 people were poisoned as a result.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cochabamba |first1=Associated Press in |title=Desperate Bolivians seek out toxic bleach falsely touted as Covid-19 cure |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/17/bolivia-coronavirus-toxic-bleach-chlorine-dioxide |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=17 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

==Investigations==
In 2015, ] conducted an undercover investigation into MMS, with a reporter posing as a family member of a person with autism. The BBC reporter was sold two bottles containing ] and ] by a self-styled "reverend" Leon Edwards linked to the Genesis II Church in the United States. Edwards told the reporter that the solutions would cure nearly all illnesses and conditions, including cancer, HIV, malaria, autism and ]. He recommended 27 drops per day for a baby. Laboratory analysis later showed that the concentration of both bottled solutions was far stronger than advertised. Edwards told the reporter:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33079776|title='Miracle autism cure' seller exposed by BBC investigation|date=11 June 2015|publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

: I put it in my eyes, my nose, my ears, bathe in it, drunk it, breathed it in my lungs. I got injected in my butt with it.

] and ] investigated the MMS phenomenon in 2016, and uncovered an "underground network" centered around southern California which was promoting the substance as a cure for conditions including cancer, ] and childhood autism.<ref name=ne&ya>{{cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/parents-making-children-drink-bleach-160057178.html|title=Parents Are Making Their Children Drink Bleach to 'Cure' Them of Autism|date=28 January 2018|publisher=Newsweek/Yahoo News}}</ref>

It was reported in January 2018 that at least six police forces had investigated the use of MMS in the UK, where it continues to be available. Spokespersons for the UK's ] and the ] repeatedly warned of the dangers of using such a product.<ref name=ne&ya/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brit-kids-forced-drink-bleach-11924623|title=Desperate parents forcing kids to drink bleach as autistic children become victims of sick US cult|date=27 January 2018|publisher=The Mirror}}</ref>

As reported in ''The Guardian'' in 2019, Uganda's government is investigating the administration of MMS in the country.<ref name=GuardianMay19/>

In 2019, ] started an investigation in which German citizen ] was charged for crimes against public health,<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 December 2021|title=Las vacunas contra el covid-19 han demostrado eficacia, mientras que el dióxido de cloro no|url=https://factual.afp.com/http%253A%252F%252Fdoc.afp.com%252F9U49DA-1|access-date=18 December 2021|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=19 May 2020|title=El dióxido de cloro es una sustancia potencialmente tóxica que no aporta oxígeno al cuerpo humano|url=https://factual.afp.com/el-dioxido-de-cloro-es-una-sustancia-potencialmente-toxica-que-no-aporta-oxigeno-al-cuerpo-humano|access-date=18 December 2021|website=]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Güell|first=Oriol|date=20 February 2019|title=La Fiscalía investiga a dos famosos curanderos por promover la lejía contra el sida y el cáncer|newspaper=El Paais|language=es|agency=El País|url=https://elpais.com/sociedad/2019/02/20/actualidad/1550669520_741388.html|access-date=18 December 2021|issn=1134-6582}}</ref> having as its origin a complaint filed in October 2018 by the ], which warned of the "publication and sale" through the Internet of ].<ref name=":1" />

In the summer of 2019, the "Genesis II Church of Health and Healing" held seminars to promote MMS in ], ], ] and ]. Another one was scheduled for ] in the United States, coming a week after the FDA warned the population about the product.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/16/bleach-based-miracle-cure-group-seminar-new-york|title=Group to tout bleach-based 'miracle cure' at upstate New York 'seminar'|last=Pilkington|first=Ed|date=16 August 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 August 2019}}</ref>


==Judgments== ==Judgments==
Former Chicagoan {{anchor|Kerri Rivera}}Kerri Rivera, who now resides in Mexico, was required by the ] to sign a document<ref>{{cite web|title=Assurance of Voluntary Compliance - Kerri Rivera|url=http://media.nbcchicago.com/documents/Rivera+Fully+Executed+AVC.pdf|website=]|access-date=24 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404071333/http://media.nbcchicago.com/documents/Rivera+Fully+Executed+AVC.pdf|archive-date=4 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> stating that she would no longer promote the use of toxic chlorine dioxide, or "CD", in the state of Illinois. The agreement, which Rivera signed, says, "Respondent makes unsubstantiated health and medical claims regarding the use of chlorine dioxide in the treatment of autism. In truth and fact, Respondent lacks competent and reliable scientific evidence to support her claims that chlorine dioxide can treat autism. Respondent's act of promoting unsubstantiated health and medical claims regarding the use of chlorine dioxide in the treatment of autism constitutes a violation of Section 2 of the Consumer Fraud Act." The agreement continued to bar Rivera from speaking at seminars and selling chlorine dioxide or similar substances for the treatment of autism. However, Rivera publicizes from a website<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cdautism.org/|title=Home - CD Autism - Kerri Rivera - CDAUTISM.ORG|website=cdautism.org|access-date=18 April 2020|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309160651/https://cdautism.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> promoting dangerous ] as an autism treatment, and claiming that the intestinal lining of children expels parasites ("]") {{ndash}} a false concept.<ref>{{cite web|title=Warning Against Chlorine Dioxide Use|url=https://www.autism.com/statement_mms|website=]|access-date=24 September 2016|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330220822/https://www.autism.com/statement_mms|url-status=dead}}</ref> Attorney General ] described the case by saying, "You have a situation where there are people, complete ], that are out there promoting a very dangerous chemical being given to young children... Ingesting what amounts to a toxic chemical—bleach—is not going to cure your child."<ref>{{cite web|title=State Takes Action Against "Miracle Treatment" for Children With Autism|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/illinois-attorney-general-lisa-madigan-miracle-mineral-solution-autism-309703521.html|website=NBC Chicago|date=25 June 2015 }}</ref> Rivera advocates treating infants and toddlers, as well as older children, with chlorine dioxide enemas, requiring that children also drink the solution and bathe in it.<ref name="Siruck"/> From Germany, Rivera promoted MMS to treat COVID-19.<ref>{{citation |title= Former Chicagoan Touts Coronavirus 'Rescue' Previously Barred in Illinois |date= 27 April 2020 |publisher= NBC 5 |location= Chicago |url= https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/former-chicagoan-touts-coronavirus-rescue-previously-barred-in-illinois/2262617/ |access-date= 28 April 2020}}</ref>
MMS was a cure touted by an Australian couple targeting the Seattle area. They ran websites using fake testimonials (accompanied by sexy vignettes), photographs, and Seattle addresses, to promote downloadable books touted as containing secret cures as well as selling bottles labeled "water purification drops" with a brand name of "MMS Professional".<ref name=FCAruling>{{cite court |litigants= Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Leanne Rita Vassallo and Aaron David Smith |court= FCA 954 |date= August 20, 2009 |url= http://atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/News/Press_Releases/2009/VassaloSmithACCCjudgment.pdf |accessdate= February 12, 2012 }}</ref> The Washington State Attorney General's Office filed suit, and in conjunctions with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), secured a settlement of more than US$40,000, roughly $25,000 for state legal fees and $14,000 to be divided among 200 consumers.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Pulkkinen |first=Levi |others= seattlepi.com staff |publication-date= August 3, 2009 |title= Sexy stories, bogus cures lead to action by state AG |work= ] |oclc= 3734418 |url= http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Sexy-stories-bogus-cures-lead-to-action-by-state-1305506.php |accessdate= February 12, 2012 |postscript= <!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |publisher= Washington State Office of the Attorney General |date= March 8, 2010 |title= Washington Attorney General reels in refunds for consumers hooked by Aussies’ quack medicine web sites |url= http://www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?id=25300 |accessdate= February 12, 2012 }}</ref> In the ACCC legal action, the presiding judge described the cures as ] and found the claims on the websites "false, misleading or deceptive".<ref name=FCAruling /><ref>{{Cite document |publication-date= Aug 26, 2009 |title= Aussie net scammers stung after $1.2m haul |work= iTnews for Australian Business |publisher= Haymarket Media |url= http://www.itnews.com.au/News/153974,aussie-net-scammers-stung-after-12m-haul.aspx |accessdate = February 12, 2012 |postscript= <!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}} }}</ref>


MMS was a cure touted by an Australian couple targeting the Seattle area. They ran websites using fake testimonials, photographs, and Seattle addresses, to promote downloadable books touted as containing secret cures as well as selling bottles labeled "water purification drops" with a brand name of "MMS Professional".<ref name=FCAruling>{{cite court |litigants= Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Leanne Rita Vassallo and Aaron David Smith |court= FCA 954 |date= 20 August 2009 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113014358/http://atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/News/Press_Releases/2009/VassaloSmithACCCjudgment.pdf |access-date= 12 February 2012 }}</ref> The Washington State Attorney General's Office filed suit, and in conjunction with the ] (ACCC), secured a settlement of more than US$40,000, roughly $25,000 for state legal fees and $14,000 to be divided among 200 consumers.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Pulkkinen |first=Levi |others= seattlepi.com staff |date= 3 August 2009 |title= Sexy stories, bogus cures lead to action by state AG |work= ] |oclc= 3734418 |url= http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Sexy-stories-bogus-cures-lead-to-action-by-state-1305506.php |access-date= 12 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |publisher= Washington State Office of the Attorney General |date= 8 March 2010 |title= Washington Attorney General reels in refunds for consumers hooked by Aussies' quack medicine web sites |url= http://www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?id=25300 |access-date= 12 February 2012 }}</ref> In the ACCC legal action, the presiding judge described the cures as ] and found the claims on the websites "false, misleading, or deceptive".<ref name=FCAruling/><ref>{{Cite journal |date= 26 August 2009 |title= Aussie net scammers stung after $1.2m haul |journal= ITnews for Australian Business |publisher= Haymarket Media |url= http://www.itnews.com.au/News/153974,aussie-net-scammers-stung-after-12m-haul.aspx |access-date = 12 February 2012 }}</ref>
A woman from north ], without qualifications to practice, charged up to A$2,000 to inject patients with MMS in her garage which lacked proper facilities for sterilization, and went as far as advising a person to avoid chemotherapy while promoting a treatment with "no scientific basis". The ] Office of Fair Trading got a court order prohibiting her from "making any claims she is able to treat, cure, or benefit any person suffering from cancer" and she was charged court costs of A$12,000.<ref>{{Cite web |publication-date= April 23, 2009 |title= Woman told to stop selling cancer 'miracle drug' |work= ABC News |publication-place= Australia |url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/woman-told-to-stop-selling-cancer-miracle-drug/1660170 |accessdate= February 12, 2012 |postscript= <!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |publisher= Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading, The Honourable Peter Lawlor |date= April 23, 2009 |title= Unregistered health provider ordered to stop misleading cancer patients |url= http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=63436 |accessdate= February 12, 2012 }}</ref>

A woman from the city of ] in Australia, without qualifications to practice, charged up to ]2,000 to inject patients with MMS in her garage, which lacked proper facilities for sterilization, and went as far as advising a person to avoid chemotherapy while "dishonestly promoting its benefits with no scientific basis for her claims". The ] Office of Fair Trading handed down a court order prohibiting her from "making any claims she is able to treat, cure, or benefit any person suffering from cancer" and she was charged court costs of A$12,000.<ref>{{Cite web |date= 23 April 2009 |title= Woman told to stop selling cancer 'miracle drug' |work= ABC News |location= Australia |url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/woman-told-to-stop-selling-cancer-miracle-drug/1660170 |access-date= 12 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |publisher= Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading, The Honourable Peter Lawlor |date= 23 April 2009 |title= Unregistered health provider ordered to stop misleading cancer patients |url= http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=63436 |access-date= 12 February 2012 |archive-date= 3 April 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110403173447/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=63436 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

On 28 May 2015, a US federal jury found Louis Daniel Smith guilty of conspiracy, smuggling, selling misbranded drugs, and defrauding the United States in relation to the sale of MMS. According to the evidence presented at trial, Smith created phony "water purification" and "wastewater treatment" businesses in order to obtain sodium chlorite and ship Miracle Mineral Supplement without being detected by the government.<ref>{{cite news|title=Seller of "Miracle Mineral Solution" Convicted for Marketing Toxic Chemical as a Miracle Cure|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/seller-miracle-mineral-solution-convicted-marketing-toxic-chemical-miracle-cure|access-date=30 May 2015|agency=]}}</ref> On 28 October 2015, Smith was sentenced to serve four years and three months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.<ref>{{cite news |title=Seller of "Miracle Mineral Solution" Sentenced to Prison for Marketing Toxic Chemical as a Miracle Cure |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/seller-miracle-mineral-solution-sentenced-prison-marketing-toxic-chemical-miracle-cure |access-date=11 November 2018 |agency=]}}</ref> Despite Smith's sentence, the Genesis II Church of Health & Healing continue to promote the sale and use of MMS in many countries including the US. In a ''Washington Post'' article Floyd Jerred, a bishop in the Genesis II Church of Health & Healing, was quoted as saying of MMS, "As long as I'm just telling you about it, it's just education," and of Smith's conviction, "And if they do lock me up, I know how to do out-of-body travel. I can go anywhere, see anything I want to see anyway."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zapotosky |first1=Matt |title=This church's cancer-curing elixir is really bleach, federal authorities say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/federal-authorities-this-churchs-cancer-curing-elixir-is-really-bleach/2016/03/09/17f9e7d2-e238-11e5-9c36-e1902f6b6571_story.html?noredirect=on |access-date=11 November 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=10 March 2016 |archive-date=6 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606003458/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/federal-authorities-this-churchs-cancer-curing-elixir-is-really-bleach/2016/03/09/17f9e7d2-e238-11e5-9c36-e1902f6b6571_story.html?noredirect=on |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In Ireland in 2016, Patrick Merlehan, listed as "bishop" on the Genesis II Church website, was convicted on two charges fined €4,000 in relation to manufacturing and supplying of MMS as an unauthorized medicine.<ref>{{citation |title= Hawkers of MMS 'Miracle Cure' Run Out of Luck in Ireland |last1= Galli |first1= Cindy |last2= Kreider |first2= Randy |last3= Ross |first3= Brian |date= 28 October 2016 |publisher= ABC News |url= https://abcnews.go.com/International/hawkers-mms-miracle-cure-run-luck-ireland/story?id=43139093 |access-date= 20 April 2020}}</ref> His appeal was denied in 2018.<ref>{{citation |title= Appeal over 'miracle' bleach cure is struck out |last= O'Reilly |first= Rita |date= 15 February 2018 |publisher= RTÉ News |url= https://www.rte.ie/news/2018/0215/941028-bleach/ |access-date= 20 April 2020}}</ref>

After a guilty plea to 17 of 29 counts related to the sale of MMS, a British Columbia court sentenced Stanley Nowak to six months' house arrest, followed by eighteen months' curfew, then two years' probation in 2018. It was the first conviction in Canada.<ref>{{citation |title= B.C. man first person convicted for sale of so-called miracle tonic |last= Labby |first= Bryan |date= 29 November 2018 |work= CBC News |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/stanley-nowak-conviction-mms-genesis-2-church-1.4924288 |access-date= 24 April 2020}}</ref>

In May 2020, Australia's ] fined MMS Australia, a chapter of the Genesis II Church, A$151,000 for over multiple advertising offenses.<ref>{{citation |title= Australian arm of group that wrote to Trump peddling bleach as coronavirus cure fined $150,000 |first= Melissa |last= Davey |date= 13 May 2020 |work= The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/13/healing-church-fined-150000-in-australia-over-selling-bleach-as-coronavirus-cure |access-date= 15 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title= US-linked Australian church fined US$98,000 for selling bleach as coronavirus 'miracle cure' |date= 13 May 2020 |work= ] |agency= Agence France-Presse |url= https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3084250/us-linked-australian-church-fined-us98000-selling-bleach |access-date= 15 May 2020}}</ref>

== Usage in Cameroon and Uganda ==
=== Cameroon ===
In a 2018 study by Enno Freye of the ] in Düsseldorf, Germany, chlorine dioxide was tested on 500 malarial patients in Cameroon, finding that it was "a promising new approach in malaria treatment".<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Freye|first1=Enno|last2=Strobel|first2=Hans-Peter|last3=Weber|first3=Olivia M.|title=ATC Malachlorite® for treatment of patients with acute Plasmodium falciparum infection: A pilot study incorporating 500 patients in the rural area of Cameroon|journal=GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences|volume=2|issue=2|year=2018|pages=006–017|issn=2581-3250|doi=10.30574/gscbps.2018.2.2.0004|doi-access=free}}{{Retracted|doi=10.30574/gscbps.2019.8.1.0004}}</ref> As reported in May 2019, '']'' newspaper contacted the university, and was told that the study had been reviewed and found to be "scientifically worthless, contradictory, and in part ethically problematic"; Freye was stripped of his title of ] of the faculty on grounds that he had "severely damaged the respectability and trust this title requires", and was terminated from the university.<ref name=GuardianMay19>{{cite web |last1=Pilkington |first1=Ed |last2=Mwesigwa |first2=Alon |title=US pastor runs network giving 50,000 Ugandans bleach-based 'miracle cure' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/18/bleach-miracle-cure-uganda-us-pastor-robert-baldwin-sam-little |website=] |date=18 May 2019 |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327023920/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/18/bleach-miracle-cure-uganda-us-pastor-robert-baldwin-sam-little |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2019 the study was retracted by the journal which had published it because the editors concluded after a complaint and investigation revealed that the study had never actually been conducted.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://gsconlinepress.com/journals/gscbps/node/846|title=Retraction Notice: ATC Malachlorite® for treatment of patients with acute Plasmodium falciparum infection: A pilot study incorporating 500 patients in the rural area of Cameroon|last=managingeditor|date=21 July 2019|journal=GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences|volume=8|page=028| issue=1| doi=10.30574/gscbps.2019.8.1.0004|s2cid=208477481|language=en|access-date=5 August 2019|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Uganda ===
In May 2019, '']'' reported that American pastor Robert Baldwin had "trained" around 1,200 clerics in ] to distribute MMS as a "miracle cure". Each cleric is estimated to administer MMS to around 50 churchgoers. Baldwin, aged 52 from ], has been importing in bulk sodium chlorite and citric acid, which are the components of MMS. Baldwin operates under 'Global Healing', the ] he founded, which uses "the power of Almighty God ... to greatly reduce the loss of life". Baldwin offers smartphones to clerics as an incentive to spread the "miracle cure". ''The Guardian'' contacted Baldwin, who said: "We use natural healing therapies to help people—that's something Christians do." Baldwin hung up after ''The Guardian'' asked about the dosage of bleach being administered in Africa.<ref name=GuardianMay19/>

Fiona O'Leary, a campaigner against fake medicine, provided ''The Guardian'' with a purported call recording of Robert Baldwin where he said: "When you draw attention to MMS you run the risk of getting in trouble with the government or drug companies. You have to do it low key. That's why I set it up through the church ... America and Europe have much stricter laws so you are not as free to treat people because it is so controlled by the FDA. That's why I work in developing countries ... Those people in poor countries they don't have the options that we have in the richer countries—they are much more open to receiving the blessings that God has given them." Additionally, Baldwin allegedly said: "I don't call it 'MMS', I call it 'healing water', to protect myself ... Facebook has algorithms that can recognize 'MMS'."<ref name=GuardianMay19/>

Sam Little partially funded Baldwin's network, telling ''The Guardian'' that MMS was "helping" the people of Uganda: "We've cured loads of people not just for malaria, cancer, HIV, all sorts of things." Little said that his interest in MMS came about when a family member of his was "cured of cancer with MMS ... I started researching online and saw more and more videos of people being cured. That's when I decided to test it myself on malaria and travelled to Africa." However, he also said: "It's not using people as guinea pigs for trials".<ref name=GuardianMay19/>

American conservative political activist ] has actively promoted the use of MMS in Uganda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/alan-keyes-is-helping-sell-a-toxic-bleach-cure-miracle-mineral-solution-to-the-vulnerable-and-desperate|title=Alan Keyes Is Helping Sell a Toxic Bleach 'Cure' to the Vulnerable and Desperate|first=Kelly|last=Weill|date=7 December 2019|work=The Daily Beast}}</ref>

== Argentina ==

MMS has also been promoted in the Spanish language.<ref name="Whites2021"/> In 2019, Andreas Kalcker gave presentations in two hotels in Buenos Aires promoting a cure he calls "CDS" that is identical to MMS.<ref name="Whites2021"/> The product was promoted in the Spanish language on social media platforms like Facebook, and was also sold online.<ref name="Whites2021">{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/2021/01/21/denunciaron-al-descubridor-del-dioxido-de-cloro-como-solucion-milagrosa-contra-el-covid-y-a-quienes-lo-vendian/|title=Denunciaron al "descubridor" del dióxido de cloro como "solución milagrosa" contra el COVID y a quienes lo vendían|last=White|first=Patricia|date=1 January 2021|work=]}}</ref>

In August 2020, a five-year-old boy died in Argentina, "of multiple organ failure consistent with chlorine dioxide poisoning."<ref name="Porter2021">{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/toxic-bleach-miracle-andreas-kalcker-charged-argentina-2021-9|title=A leader of a movement touting toxic bleach as a 'miracle' COVID-19 cure has been charged following a 5-year-old boy's death|last=Porter|first=Tom|date=4 September 2021}}</ref> The boy's parents believed that the treatment had the power to ward off COVID-19.<ref name="Porter2021"/> An investigation was opened into the death of the child as well as additional deaths associated with the treatment.<ref name="Porter2021"/> In March 2021, police conducted a raid into places where the chemical was being manufactured and sold, as well as additional raids in September.<ref name="Porter2021"/>

In January 2021, a 92-year-old coronavirus patient died after a judge ordered a clinic to give the patient chlorine dioxide at the request of his family.<ref name="BATimes2021">{{cite web|url=https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/covid-19-patient-dies-after-judge-permits-private-clinic-to-administer-chlorine-dioxide.phtml |title=Covid patient who took chlorine dioxide dies in hospital |last=Times/AFP|date=15 January 2021|work=Buenos Aires Times}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
*] *]
*]
*] *]
*], teenage blogger whose actions helped clamp down on illegal distribution
*]
*]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist|30em}}
{{pseudomedicine}}
{{pseudoscience}}
{{Fraud}}
{{Unproven and disproven cancer treatments}}


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Latest revision as of 07:36, 12 December 2024

Industrial bleach illegally marketed as a cure for various illnesses

"Chlorine Dioxide Solution" redirects here. For the chemical compound, see Chlorine dioxide. "Genesis II Church of Health and Healing" redirects here. For other uses, see Genesis 2.

Miracle Mineral Supplement
ClaimsInternal use of industrial bleaching agent chlorine dioxide will cure most diseases.
Original proponentsJim Humble
(Overview of pseudoscientific concepts)
Part of a series on
Alternative medicine
General information
Fringe medicine and science
Controversies
Classifications
Traditional medicine
Alternative diagnoses

Miracle Mineral Supplement, often referred to as Miracle Mineral Solution, Master Mineral Solution, MMS or the CD protocol, is a branded name for an aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide, an industrial bleaching agent, that has been falsely promoted as a cure for illnesses including HIV, cancer and the common cold. It is made by mixing aqueous sodium chlorite with an acid (such as the juices of citrus fruits or vinegar). This produces chlorine dioxide, a toxic chemical that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and life-threatening low blood pressure due to dehydration.

Sodium chlorite, the main precursor to chlorine dioxide, is itself toxic if ingested. It causes acute kidney failure in high doses. Lower doses (~1 gram) can be expected to cause nausea, vomiting, inflammation of the intestines (producing so-called "rope worms") and even life-threatening reactions in persons with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has set a maximum level of 0.8 mg/L for chlorine dioxide in drinking water. Naren Gunja, director of the New South Wales, Australia Poisons Information Centre, has stated that using the product is "a bit like drinking concentrated bleach" and that users have displayed symptoms consistent with corrosive injuries, such as vomiting, stomach pains, and diarrhea.

The name was coined by former Scientologist Jim Humble in his 2006 self-published book, The Miracle Mineral Solution of the 21st Century. Humble claims that the chemical can cure HIV, malaria, hepatitis viruses, the H1N1 flu virus, common colds, autism, acne, cancer and other illnesses. There have been no clinical trials to test these claims, and they come only from anecdotal reports and Humble's book. In January 2010, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that one vendor admitted that they do not repeat any of Humble's claims in writing to circumvent regulations against using it as a medicine. Sellers sometimes describe MMS as a water purifier to circumvent medical regulations. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies rejected "in the strongest terms" reports by promoters of MMS that they had used the product to fight malaria. In 2016, Humble said that MMS "cures nothing". In August 2019, the Food and Drug Administration repeated a 2010 warning against using MMS products, describing it as "the same as drinking bleach".

Safety and legal issues

The Guardian described MMS as "extremely nasty stuff, and the medical advice given is that anyone who has this product should stop using it immediately and throw it away. In Canada it was banned after causing a life-threatening reaction." In August 2009, a Mexican woman travelling with her American husband on a yacht in Vanuatu took MMS to supposedly prevent malaria. She fell ill within 15 minutes, and died within 12 hours. The island nation's public prosecutor, Kayleen Tavoa, did not press any charges as there were no specific laws banning the importation of MMS, but advised, "While every case is assessed on its own merits, I advise that any person who misuses MMS in Vanuatu in the future would be likely to face prosecution for potentially serious criminal offences. No person should ever give MMS to another person to drink without advising them of what it is they are drinking and of the serious risks to health that may arise if they decide to drink the mixture."

In 2008, a 60-year-old Canadian man was hospitalized after a life-threatening response to MMS. Following a May 2010 advisory which indicated that MMS exceeds tolerable levels of sodium chlorite by a factor of 200, a Calgary-based supplier briefly stopped distribution. A February 2012 warning, which resulted in one website shutting down, advised: "There are no therapeutic products containing sodium chlorite authorized for oral consumption by humans in Canada." In the UK, the Food Standards Agency released a warning, following the initial warnings from Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, stating that "MMS is a 28% sodium chlorite solution which is equivalent to industrial-strength bleach. When taken as directed it could cause severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, potentially leading to dehydration and reduced blood pressure. If the solution is diluted less than instructed, it could cause damage to the gut and red blood cells, potentially resulting in respiratory failure." More dilute versions have potential to do harm, although it is less likely. The Food Standards Agency has since reiterated their warning on MMS and extended it to include CDS.

Sellers attribute the vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea to the product working, but it is actually the product's toxicity.

In December 2009, an alert was issued by the Belgian Poison Control Centre to the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. In response, an evaluation was performed by the French Comité de Coordination de Toxicovigilance in March 2010, warning about dose-dependent irritation and possible toxic effects. They also warned that patients affected by serious diseases could be tempted to stop their treatments in favour of this fraudulent treatment.

A similar notice was released in July 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning that MMS, which is prepared by mixing sodium chlorite solution with an acid (such as the juice of citrus fruits), produces chlorine dioxide, "a potent bleach used for stripping textiles and industrial water treatment." Because of reports including severe nausea, vomiting, and dangerously low blood pressure as a result of dehydration following consuming MMS, the FDA has advised consumers to stop using the product and dispose of it immediately. The FDA released another warning in August 2019, saying that it has continued to receive reports of illness caused by consuming MMS.

MMS is not approved for the treatment of any disease and, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, chronic exposure to small doses of chlorine dioxide could cause reproductive and neurodevelopmental damage. While studies of chlorine dioxide effects in humans are rare, studies on animal subjects are more common; chlorine dioxide has been shown to impair thyroid function and reduce CD4 helper T cell count in grivet monkeys after 6 months. A study found reduced red blood cell count in rats exposed to 100 mg/L of chlorine dioxide concentration in their drinking water, after 3 months. The United States Department of Labor restricts occupational exposure through inhalation of chlorine dioxide to 0.1 ppm since concentrations at 10 ppm resulted in death in rats after 10 days, and a worker accidentally exposed to 19 ppm died. According to the same organization, "chlorine dioxide is a severe respiratory and eye irritant in humans".

COVID-19

See also: Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic many previous promoters of MMS for other diseases, such as QAnon proponent Jordan Sather and the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, began touting it as a cure for COVID-19. However, the claim that MMS can cure COVID-19, or any other disease, is not based on any scientific evidence. The office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida filed for and received a preliminary injunction against its sale by another branch of the church which was using anonymous testimonials and appealing to conspiracy theories to explicitly market MMS as a cure for COVID-19. That July, the court issued orders to shut down all websites selling MMS, to prevent the church from creating new websites, and to confiscate all materials used to make MMS. Multiple agencies were involved in the seizure of 50 gallons of muriatic (hydrochloric) acid, 8,300 pounds of sodium chlorite, and 22 gallons of finished product. The church was also instructed to notify customers that the product distribution had been illegal. Mark Grenon and his sons, Jonathan Grenon, Jordan Grenon, and Joseph Grenon were charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and criminal contempt. Mark and Joseph Grenon were arrested in Colombia in August 2020 and were extradited to the United States. On 21 July 2023, they were found guilty of defrauding the United States, distributing an unapproved drug, and distributing a misbranded drug. In October 2023, Mark and Joseph Grenon received sentences of 60 months, and Jonathan and Jordan Grenon were also convicted of contempt of court and received 151 months.

Bolivia

In Bolivia, officials in Cochabamba promoted MMS as a cure for COVID-19 and the Congress passed a bill to authorise "manufacture, marketing, supply and use of chlorine dioxide solution for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus". At least 15 people were poisoned as a result.

Investigations

In 2015, BBC London conducted an undercover investigation into MMS, with a reporter posing as a family member of a person with autism. The BBC reporter was sold two bottles containing sodium chlorite and hydrochloric acid by a self-styled "reverend" Leon Edwards linked to the Genesis II Church in the United States. Edwards told the reporter that the solutions would cure nearly all illnesses and conditions, including cancer, HIV, malaria, autism and Alzheimer's disease. He recommended 27 drops per day for a baby. Laboratory analysis later showed that the concentration of both bottled solutions was far stronger than advertised. Edwards told the reporter:

I put it in my eyes, my nose, my ears, bathe in it, drunk it, breathed it in my lungs. I got injected in my butt with it.

ABC News and KABC-TV investigated the MMS phenomenon in 2016, and uncovered an "underground network" centered around southern California which was promoting the substance as a cure for conditions including cancer, Parkinson's disease and childhood autism.

It was reported in January 2018 that at least six police forces had investigated the use of MMS in the UK, where it continues to be available. Spokespersons for the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Food Standards Agency repeatedly warned of the dangers of using such a product.

As reported in The Guardian in 2019, Uganda's government is investigating the administration of MMS in the country.

In 2019, Spain's Attorney General started an investigation in which German citizen Andreas Kalcker was charged for crimes against public health, having as its origin a complaint filed in October 2018 by the Ministry of Health, which warned of the "publication and sale" through the Internet of sodium chlorite.

In the summer of 2019, the "Genesis II Church of Health and Healing" held seminars to promote MMS in Chile, Ecuador, South Africa and New Zealand. Another one was scheduled for New York State in the United States, coming a week after the FDA warned the population about the product.

Judgments

Former Chicagoan Kerri Rivera, who now resides in Mexico, was required by the Illinois Attorney General to sign a document stating that she would no longer promote the use of toxic chlorine dioxide, or "CD", in the state of Illinois. The agreement, which Rivera signed, says, "Respondent makes unsubstantiated health and medical claims regarding the use of chlorine dioxide in the treatment of autism. In truth and fact, Respondent lacks competent and reliable scientific evidence to support her claims that chlorine dioxide can treat autism. Respondent's act of promoting unsubstantiated health and medical claims regarding the use of chlorine dioxide in the treatment of autism constitutes a violation of Section 2 of the Consumer Fraud Act." The agreement continued to bar Rivera from speaking at seminars and selling chlorine dioxide or similar substances for the treatment of autism. However, Rivera publicizes from a website promoting dangerous MMS enemas as an autism treatment, and claiming that the intestinal lining of children expels parasites ("rope worms") – a false concept. Attorney General Lisa Madigan described the case by saying, "You have a situation where there are people, complete quacks, that are out there promoting a very dangerous chemical being given to young children... Ingesting what amounts to a toxic chemical—bleach—is not going to cure your child." Rivera advocates treating infants and toddlers, as well as older children, with chlorine dioxide enemas, requiring that children also drink the solution and bathe in it. From Germany, Rivera promoted MMS to treat COVID-19.

MMS was a cure touted by an Australian couple targeting the Seattle area. They ran websites using fake testimonials, photographs, and Seattle addresses, to promote downloadable books touted as containing secret cures as well as selling bottles labeled "water purification drops" with a brand name of "MMS Professional". The Washington State Attorney General's Office filed suit, and in conjunction with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), secured a settlement of more than US$40,000, roughly $25,000 for state legal fees and $14,000 to be divided among 200 consumers. In the ACCC legal action, the presiding judge described the cures as quackery and found the claims on the websites "false, misleading, or deceptive".

A woman from the city of Mackay in Australia, without qualifications to practice, charged up to A$2,000 to inject patients with MMS in her garage, which lacked proper facilities for sterilization, and went as far as advising a person to avoid chemotherapy while "dishonestly promoting its benefits with no scientific basis for her claims". The Queensland Office of Fair Trading handed down a court order prohibiting her from "making any claims she is able to treat, cure, or benefit any person suffering from cancer" and she was charged court costs of A$12,000.

On 28 May 2015, a US federal jury found Louis Daniel Smith guilty of conspiracy, smuggling, selling misbranded drugs, and defrauding the United States in relation to the sale of MMS. According to the evidence presented at trial, Smith created phony "water purification" and "wastewater treatment" businesses in order to obtain sodium chlorite and ship Miracle Mineral Supplement without being detected by the government. On 28 October 2015, Smith was sentenced to serve four years and three months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Despite Smith's sentence, the Genesis II Church of Health & Healing continue to promote the sale and use of MMS in many countries including the US. In a Washington Post article Floyd Jerred, a bishop in the Genesis II Church of Health & Healing, was quoted as saying of MMS, "As long as I'm just telling you about it, it's just education," and of Smith's conviction, "And if they do lock me up, I know how to do out-of-body travel. I can go anywhere, see anything I want to see anyway."

In Ireland in 2016, Patrick Merlehan, listed as "bishop" on the Genesis II Church website, was convicted on two charges fined €4,000 in relation to manufacturing and supplying of MMS as an unauthorized medicine. His appeal was denied in 2018.

After a guilty plea to 17 of 29 counts related to the sale of MMS, a British Columbia court sentenced Stanley Nowak to six months' house arrest, followed by eighteen months' curfew, then two years' probation in 2018. It was the first conviction in Canada.

In May 2020, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration fined MMS Australia, a chapter of the Genesis II Church, A$151,000 for over multiple advertising offenses.

Usage in Cameroon and Uganda

Cameroon

In a 2018 study by Enno Freye of the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany, chlorine dioxide was tested on 500 malarial patients in Cameroon, finding that it was "a promising new approach in malaria treatment". As reported in May 2019, The Guardian newspaper contacted the university, and was told that the study had been reviewed and found to be "scientifically worthless, contradictory, and in part ethically problematic"; Freye was stripped of his title of Apl-Professor of the faculty on grounds that he had "severely damaged the respectability and trust this title requires", and was terminated from the university. In August 2019 the study was retracted by the journal which had published it because the editors concluded after a complaint and investigation revealed that the study had never actually been conducted.

Uganda

In May 2019, The Guardian reported that American pastor Robert Baldwin had "trained" around 1,200 clerics in Uganda to distribute MMS as a "miracle cure". Each cleric is estimated to administer MMS to around 50 churchgoers. Baldwin, aged 52 from New Jersey, has been importing in bulk sodium chlorite and citric acid, which are the components of MMS. Baldwin operates under 'Global Healing', the ministry he founded, which uses "the power of Almighty God ... to greatly reduce the loss of life". Baldwin offers smartphones to clerics as an incentive to spread the "miracle cure". The Guardian contacted Baldwin, who said: "We use natural healing therapies to help people—that's something Christians do." Baldwin hung up after The Guardian asked about the dosage of bleach being administered in Africa.

Fiona O'Leary, a campaigner against fake medicine, provided The Guardian with a purported call recording of Robert Baldwin where he said: "When you draw attention to MMS you run the risk of getting in trouble with the government or drug companies. You have to do it low key. That's why I set it up through the church ... America and Europe have much stricter laws so you are not as free to treat people because it is so controlled by the FDA. That's why I work in developing countries ... Those people in poor countries they don't have the options that we have in the richer countries—they are much more open to receiving the blessings that God has given them." Additionally, Baldwin allegedly said: "I don't call it 'MMS', I call it 'healing water', to protect myself ... Facebook has algorithms that can recognize 'MMS'."

Sam Little partially funded Baldwin's network, telling The Guardian that MMS was "helping" the people of Uganda: "We've cured loads of people not just for malaria, cancer, HIV, all sorts of things." Little said that his interest in MMS came about when a family member of his was "cured of cancer with MMS ... I started researching online and saw more and more videos of people being cured. That's when I decided to test it myself on malaria and travelled to Africa." However, he also said: "It's not using people as guinea pigs for trials".

American conservative political activist Alan Keyes has actively promoted the use of MMS in Uganda.

Argentina

MMS has also been promoted in the Spanish language. In 2019, Andreas Kalcker gave presentations in two hotels in Buenos Aires promoting a cure he calls "CDS" that is identical to MMS. The product was promoted in the Spanish language on social media platforms like Facebook, and was also sold online.

In August 2020, a five-year-old boy died in Argentina, "of multiple organ failure consistent with chlorine dioxide poisoning." The boy's parents believed that the treatment had the power to ward off COVID-19. An investigation was opened into the death of the child as well as additional deaths associated with the treatment. In March 2021, police conducted a raid into places where the chemical was being manufactured and sold, as well as additional raids in September.

In January 2021, a 92-year-old coronavirus patient died after a judge ordered a clinic to give the patient chlorine dioxide at the request of his family.

See also

References

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