Updated by: Frank Cicero, PhD, BCBA, LBA
Seton Hall University

Description

Autism Treatments SummaryBleach therapy, also known as chlorine dioxide treatment, was originally marketed by former scientologist Jim Humble after he used chlorine dioxide as a water treatment solution on a gold mining expedition in South America in 1996. Chlorine dioxide is a type of bleach which is used as an oxidizing agent to disinfect water, textiles, paper products, and certain foods. When in South America, Humble claimed to have found it to be successful in treating people infected with malaria. Although not scientifically studied, Humble went on to claim that his chlorine dioxide treatment was effective for a wide range of health issues including, but not limited, to cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, kidney disease, depression, dental issues, obesity, HIV/AIDS, and high blood pressure. In 2006, Humble began to market his treatment through a product called Miracle Mineral Solution, which eventually became the cornerstone of his religious group, The Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, of which he became the self-appointed Archbishop.

Hearing of its alleged healing powers, Kerri Rivera, a mother of a child with autism and homeopathic practitioner, used chlorine dioxide treatment on her autistic son. After reporting that her son made significant improvements, she developed and marketed a treatment protocol, in which chlorine dioxide treatment is used alongside chelation therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, parasite removal techniques, gluten free casein free diets, and ocean water to detox the body of autistic children of allegedly harmful viruses, bacteria, parasites, and heavy metals. Rivera claims that over 600 children “have had their autism completely reversed” using her protocol (Seneff, 2020). Based on her claims, Rivera published a book in 2006 titled Healing the Symptoms Known as Autism. The book has since been removed from most commercial platforms including Amazon.

Miracle Mineral Solution, also known as Miracle Mineral Supplement, Master Mineral Solution, MMS, and the CD protocol, is not easy to find for purchase today under its brand name. At this time, chlorine dioxide solutions are not legally allowed to be sold for human consumption in the United States. However, chlorine dioxide solutions are still readily available and marketed for nonspecific multipurpose uses. For example, one product currently being sold on Amazon.com claims it’s a “2 bottle kit, your all-in-one solution. With easy-to-use droppers and amber glass bottles, this kit is for both convenience and efficiency. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, homeowners, and scientific professionals seeking a reliable solution.”

Research Summary

There is currently no scientific research supporting claims that Miracle Mineral Solution or other forms of chlorine dioxide treatment have treatment benefits for people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In fact, there have not been any studies supporting its use for any health condition. Given the absence of research, it is not surprising that the clinical use of bleach or chlorine dioxide has not been included in the most relied upon autism treatment research task forces (Hume et al., 2021; Steinbrenner et al., 2020; National Autism Center, 2015). While there are some unscientific and unconfirmed personal testimonials supporting bleach therapy, primarily affiliated with the AutismO2 Clinic run by Kerri Rivera in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, there are no scientifically valid findings that chlorine dioxide has any beneficial effects for individuals with autism. Despite making sweeping claims about the curative properties of her chlorine dioxide treatment protocol, it is important to note that presentations conducted by Kerri Rivera have contained the following disclaimer at the outset.

The information in this presentation is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this webinar is for general information purposes only. Kerri Rivera, Autismo2, CDAutism.com and affiliates make no representation and assume no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this presentation, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this presentation with other sources and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician (Rivera, 2013).

The use of disclaimers such as these, in combination with the treatment protocols containing other unsupported and potentially harmful activities (i.e., chelation and hyperbaric oxygen therapy), seriously calls into question any supportive claims made by the promoters of bleach therapies.

Alerts, Cautions, and Legal Actions

Since 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public not to ingest any form of chlorine dioxide solution, including Miracle Mineral Solution for any reason. The FDA released another alert in 2019 reminding the public that chlorine dioxide solutions are not approved by the FDA for any use, including autism treatment. They warned the public that products such as Miracle Mineral Solution turn into dangerous bleach when used as recommended, which causes potentially life-threatening side effects. According to the FDA, people who have ingested chlorine dioxide solutions have experienced severe vomiting, severe diarrhea, life threatening low blood pressure, dehydration, and acute liver failure -all signs of bleach poisoning.

Formal position statements and other press releases against the use of bleach/chlorine dioxide therapy have been put out by many government, nonprofit, and private organizations including:

As a result of making false claims about its curative properties, many of the developers and promoters of chlorine dioxide treatments have faced legal repercussions. Kerri Rivera, who originally resided in Illinois, USA was found guilty of violating the Consumer Fraud Act by continuing to make false claims about the beneficial and non-harmful effects of her chlorine dioxide protocol for the treatment of autism. The judgement barred her from any future promotions (marketing, presentations, or product sales) of her treatment protocol in the state of Illinois. Unfortunately, she continues to promote the benefits of chlorine dioxide ingestion, baths, and enemas through her autism clinic in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In another case, Louis Daniel Smith was prosecuted by a federal jury in the Eastern District of Washington State in 2015 for smuggling Miracle Mineral Solution into the country for the purpose of selling it as a curative treatment of diseases. He did this by forming a fraudulent water purification company, which allowed him to import the product under the guise that it was not being marketed for human consumption, which in fact, it was. Despite prosecutions such as these, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, originally founded by Jim Humble, continues to promote the ingestion of Miracle Mineral Solution for its curative properties.

Recommendations

Due to the absence of any supporting research, significant side effects of life-threatening potential, and numerous position statements against its use, all bleach/chlorine dioxide therapies, in any form and for any health reason, are strongly not recommended. This includes any use of bleach/chlorine dioxide therapy for the treatment of autism. The FDA states that ingesting Miracle Mineral Solution or any other form of chlorine dioxide solution is the same as ingesting bleach. It should not be ingested by any consumer for any reason and parents should not give the solution to their children to cure autism. The federal government will continue to prosecute any person or company marketing these dangerous and fraudulent products. Anyone who has ingested these products should consult a medical professional immediately and report it to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information Program at https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program or call 800-FDA-1088.

Individuals with autism and their families are encouraged to rely on evidence-based interventions that are rigorously studied and shown to support progress. These interventions help improve social relatedness, communication, and overall well-being—unlike treatments lacking scientific validation and posing serious health risks. To learn more, visit the website of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment or peruse the recommended articles listed below.

Systematic Reviews and Task Force Findings

Hume, K., Steinbrenner, J. R., Odom, S. L., Morin, K. L., Nowell, S. W., Tomaszewski, B., Szendry, S., McIntyre, N. S., Yucesoy-Ozkan, S., & Savage, M. N. (2021). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism: Third generation review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04844-2

National Autism Center. (2015). Findings and conclusions: National standards project, phase 2. Randolph, MA: Author. https://nationalautismcenter.org/national-standards/phase-2-2015/

Steinbrenner, J. R., Hume, K., Odom, S. L., Morin, K. L., Nowell, S. W., Tomaszewski, B., Szendrey, S., McIntyre, N. S., Yucesoy-Ozkan, S., & Savage, M. N. (2020). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with Autism. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice Review Team. https://fpg.unc.edu/publications/evidence-based-practices-children-youth-and-young-adults-autism-spectrum-disorder-1

Selected Reports of Side-effects

United States Department of Justice. (2015, May). Seller of “miracle mineral solution” convicted for marketing toxic chemical as a miracle cure. Office of Public Affairs Press Releases. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/seller-miracle-mineral-solution-convicted-marketing-toxic-chemical-miracle-cure

United States Food and Drug Administration. (2023, October). 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. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida. https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/press-releases/leaders-genesis-ii-church-health-and-healing-who-sold-toxic-bleach-fake-miracle-cure-covid-19-and

Zapotosky, M. (2016, March 10). This church’s cancer-curing elixir is really bleach, federal authorities say. The Washington Post. 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

Other Cited Articles

Harrison K. L., & Zane, T. (2017). Focus on science: Is there science behind that? Bleach therapy. Science in Autism Treatment, 14(1), 18-24.

Miracle mineral supplement. (2025, January 17). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_Mineral_Supplement

Rivera, K. (2013). Healing the symptoms known as autism [PowerPoint slides]. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1cf1/b1361095aa229b5c813e95261f710ab87b51.pdf​

Seneff, S. (2020). The chlorine dioxide controversy. Wise Traditions, 21(4), 26-30. https://www.westonaprice.org/wp-content/uploads/Winter-2020.pdf

Reference for this article:

Cicero, F. (2025). A treatment summary: Bleach Therapy. Science in Autism Treatment , 22(6).

Other Related Treatment Summaries:

Related ASAT Reviews:

Related ASAT Articles:

Related Media Corner Letters:

#MedicalProviders #Multidisciplinary #NewParents #Researchers #SavvyConsumer

Print Friendly, PDF & Email