Medical applications
In hospitals and other healthcare environments, chlorine dioxide gas helps sterilize medical and laboratory equipment, surfaces, rooms, and tools. Researchers have found that at appropriate concentrations, chlorine dioxide is both safe and effective in helping to eliminate Legionella bacteria in hospital environments. Legionella pneumophila bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal type of pneumonia.
Chlorine dioxide is not a cure or treatment for any medical conditions, including but not limited to autism, HIV, malaria, hepatitis viruses, influenza, the common cold, and cancer. Claims that ingesting chlorine dioxide, often advertised as “Miracle Mineral Solution” or MMS, will cure these or other ailments are false. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against consuming MMS.