This review examines the role of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) on inorganic compounds and cell biomolecules. As a disinfectant also present in drinking water, ClO₂ helps to destroy bacteria, viruses, and some parasites. The Environmental Protection Agency EPA regulates the maximum concentration of chlorine dioxide in drinking water to be no more than 0.8 ppm. In any case, human consumption must be strictly regulated since, given its highly reactive nature, it can react with and oxidize many of the inorganic compounds found in natural waters. Simultaneously, chlorine dioxide reacts with natural organic matter in water, including humic and fulvic acids, forming oxidized organic compounds such as aldehydes and carboxylic acids, and rapidly oxidizes phenolic compounds, amines, amino acids, peptides, and proteins, as well as the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide NADH, responsible for electron and proton exchange and energy production in all cells. The influence of ClO₂ on biomolecules is derived from its interference with redox processes, modifying the electrochemical balances in mitochondrial and cell membranes. This discourages its use on an individual basis and without specialized monitoring by health professionals.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen people and governments utilise an array of chemical and pharmaceutical substances in an attempt to prevent and treat COVID-19 infections. The Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (CRCE) at Public Health England (PHE) routinely undertakes Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) to monitor public health threats and incidents related to chemicals and poisons. From April 2020, EBS functions were expanded to screen international media for potentially hazardous exposures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Media sources reported that poisons centres were experiencing increased enquiries associated with the use and misuse of household cleaners and alcohol-based hand sanitiser (HS). There were also media reports of people self-medicating with over-the-counter supplements and traditional or herbal remedies. Public figures who directly or indirectly facilitated misinformation were sometimes reported to be associated with changes in poisoning trends. Border closures were also believed to have been associated with increasingly toxic illicit drug supplies in Canada, and record numbers of opioid-related deaths were reported. In other countries, where the sale of alcohol was banned or limited, home-brewing and methanol-based supplies resulted in a number of fatalities. At least two chemical incidents also occurred at industrial sites in India, after sites were left unattended or were closed and reopened due to lockdown measures. Reports of poisoning identified in the international media were provided to the UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) and contributed to the UK COVID-19 public health response.

We present a case report of a 41-year-old woman of Malay ethnicity who presented with an 11-day history of fever and left-sided lymphadenopathy after consuming ‘Miracle Mineral Solution’ (sodium chlorite solution) for the first time. A diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease was established via lymph node biopsy after other differentials were excluded. The aetiology of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease remains controversial, but viral, autoimmune and physicochemical causes have been suggested as possibilities. In this case, we hypothesise that oxidative injury from sodium chlorite initiated an inflammatory response, which triggered the onset of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most devastating worldwide crises in recent years. During this pandemic, people have been exposed to products that have not been proven to be safe and effective against COVID-19. We present an adult chronic consumer of chlorine dioxide, in which a fatal outcome is described. This case demonstrates that for people searching products to protect themselves from COVID-19, unregulated access to industrial disinfectants represents a dangerous alternative. To date, there is no scientific evidence to uphold the use of chlorine dioxide or chlorine derivatives as preventive or therapeutic agents against COVID-19. Researchers and general population must take into consideration the fatal possible consequences of not following communications and warnings from health authorities and government institutions.

<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the increasing popularity of several emerging therapies or preventives that lack scientific evidence or go against medical directives. One such therapy involves the consumption of chlorine dioxide, which is commonly used in the cleaning industry and is available commercially as a mineral solution. This substance has been promoted as a preventive or treatment agent for several diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 infection. As interest in chlorine dioxide has grown since the start of the pandemic, health agencies, institutions, and organizations worldwide have tried to discourage and restrict the consumption of this substance.<h4>Objective</h4>The aim of this study is to analyze search engine trends in Mexico to evaluate changes in public interest in chlorine dioxide since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.<h4>Methods</h4>We retrieved public query data for the Spanish equivalent of the term "chlorine dioxide" from the Google Trends platform. The location was set to Mexico, and the time frame was from March 3, 2019, to February 21, 2021. A descriptive analysis was performed. The Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used to identify significant changes in search volumes for this term between four consecutive time periods, each of 13 weeks, from March 1, 2020, to February 27, 2021.<h4>Results</h4>From the start of the pandemic in Mexico (February 2020), an upward trend was observed in the number of searches compared with that in 2019. Maximum volume trends were recorded during the week of July 19-25, 2020. The search volumes declined between September and November 2020, but another peak was registered in December 2020 through February 2021, which reached a maximum value on January 10. Percentage change from the first to the fourth time periods was +312.85, -71.35, and +228.18, respectively. Pairwise comparisons using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests showed significant differences between the four periods (<i>P</i><.001).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Misinformation is a public health risk because it can lower compliance with the recommended measures and encourage the use of therapies that have not been proven safe. The ingestion of chlorine dioxide presents a danger to the population, and several adverse reactions have been reported. Programs should be implemented to direct those interested in this substance to accurate medical information.

cancer". Miracle Mineral Supplement (or MMS) – a toxic solution of 28% sodium chlorite in distilled water, is promoted for treating cancer and other ailments This is a non-exhaustive list of alternative treatments that have been promoted to treat or prevent cancer in humans but which lack scientific and medical evidence of effectiveness. In many cases, there is scientific evidence that the alleged treatments are not effective, and in some cases, may even be harmful. Unlike accepted cancer treatments, treatments lacking in evidence of efficacy are gener Hy…

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 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 cit 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…

This study evaluates the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxicity of acidified sodium chlorite (ASC), a source of chlorine dioxide. Despite its controversial promotion in alternative medicine as a cure-all solution, known as "Miracle Mineral Solution" (MMS), the data on its factual medicinal activity is very limited. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the activity of ASC against biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Lactobacillus sp. or an organic acid (ASC1, ASC2, respectively). The lowest antimicrobial concentration of ASC registered was 0.002992% (29.92 ppm) but did not exhibit stronger antimicrobial activity than polyhexamethylene biguanide. Biofilms of S. mutans and E. coli were the most susceptible to tested formulations. Biofilm formed by L. rhamnosus displayed susceptibility to concentrations lower than the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (0.09575%, 957.5 ppm). In the in vitro cytotoxic assay towards eukaryotic fibroblasts and in vivo model of Galleria mellonella larvae concentration-related increase of cytotoxic effects was observed. Our findings demonstrate that these concentrations of ASC which can effectively eradicate biofilms, also pose potential health risks due to their in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity. It implies that ASC applied in humans can lead to damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. This research contributes to the ongoing debate on the safety and efficacy of chlorine dioxide in clinical applications, highlighting the need for precise dosing to avoid mucosal damage in therapeutic contexts.

Over the past decade, Miracle Mineral Solution (sodium chlorite) has been promoted as a cure-all for many conditions. A 9-year-old boy presented with his brother after they accidentally ingested a small amount of undiluted 22.4% sodium chlorite. Symptoms included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dyspnea. Oxygen saturation remained 71% despite supplemental oxygen (15L/min). The patient was noted to have dark chocolate-appearing blood, minimal urine output, diffuse pallor and cyanosis. He developed methemoglobinemia, renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy and hemolysis requiring blood transfusion. These are the 7th and 8th reported cases of sodium chlorite toxicity by ingestion and the second and third in children. Takeaway for Physicians: Miracle Mineral Solution is a commonly purchased potentially lethal compound that can cause methemoglobinemia with respiratory failure, hemolytic anemia requiring transfusion and renal failure requiring dialysis.

In April 2020 American President Donald Trump publicly stated that consuming disinfectant could cure COVID-19. This apparently shocking statement was not so shocking to many: some people believe that consuming Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), a name for chlorine dioxide, an industrial bleach, can cure many illnesses. This article is a case note about Stanley v Finnegan, 447 F Supp 3d 771, 777 (WD Ark, 2020), in which parents sued their local county and sheriff in Arkansas for taking their children away after they encouraged their children to consume MMS. This case is particularly important in the current COVID-19 world.