Chlorine Dioxide and Cancer: What the Science Says

Chlorine dioxide is an artificial chemical found in many drinking water sources. Although it can pose some danger, most people never come in contact with enough to do real damage. It is also the basis for a dubious medical cure.

Identification

• According to the Department of Health and Human Services, no verifiable link between cancer and chlorine dioxide exists as of 2009. Thus, the U.S. government does not consider it a carcinogenic substance.

Sources

• Many water treatment systems add trace amounts of chlorine dioxide for its disinfecting purposes, but such small concentrations of this chemical pose little risk.

Other Associations

• The maker of Miracle Mineral Solution claims that the product produces chlorine dioxide to help cure illnesses from malaria to cancer, but these claims have not been tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Warning

• The U.S. Federal Trade Commission warns consumer not to fall prey to "miracle cure" scams, especially those which claim to cure things medical science cannot.

Known Effects

• As of 2009, the only verifiable health effect, good or bad, of chlorine dioxide is respiratory irritation, but only when a person breaths it or takes large doses.