Health Canada is reminding Canadians about the dangers of consuming products containing sodium chlorite. Sodium chlorite is a chemical used mainly as a textile bleaching agent and disinfectant as well as for industrial water purification. Ingesting sodium chlorite in the concentrations contained in MMS products can cause poisoning, kidney failure, harm to red blood cells, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, among other harms. MMS has been promoted under different names, such as "Miracle Mineral Supplement," "Master Mineral Solution," or its ingredient, sodium chlorite. The products have been promoted as treatments for a range of health ailments, including serious conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and childhood autism.