A man who sells ‘remedies’ for conditions like arthritis and autism, which contain chemicals used in bleach, has been exposed by an under-cover investigation.
Leonardo Edwards, believed to have a base in Acton, has a website called Leonardo’s Healing Space on which he sells so-called “health items” including chlorine dioxide solution, citric acid ‘activator’ and hydrochloric acid ‘activator’ - all dangerous chemicals.
Mr Edwards was filmed by the BBC selling sodium chlorite and hydrochloric acid to a reporter posing as the relation of an autistic child.
Combined, these chemicals form bleach, but BBC video footage shows Mr Edwards claiming it can “purge” autism, HIV, cancer, arthritis and Alzeimer’s.
Campaigner Emma Dalmayne, 39, who used to live in South Acton but now lives in Plumstead, is fighting against such products being sold.
She says the products are sold for between £29.99 and £49.99 and there are conferences people can go to costing £285 which teach them how to make this solution.
She said a closed Facebook group called CD Autism (chlorine dioxide) is made up of parents discussing the products for their children and claims Mr Edwards says he can ship chlorine dioxide to people.
The tagline on the group is: ‘Solving the Puzzle One...Drop...at a Time’ and the cover photo says ‘185 children now recovered from autism...and counting’.
Ms Dalmayne, who has aspergers and runs a support group for people with autism, said: “'Miracle Mineral Solution' is 28% sodium chlorite (household bleach), mixed with citric acid, it makes chlorine dioxide.
“You can only buy it online.
“Leonardo was previously exposed on the One Show making it and saying you can use it for Ebola, HIV, Hepatitis B and cancer.
“They [parents on the Facebook group] are administering it in enema form [administering a liquid through the rectum], straight up into the colon.
“It can cause seizures, rashes, vomiting, nose bleeds, diarrhoea and kidney problems. People [on the Facebook group] are saying ‘my child can’t walk’, ‘they are holding their stomach’."
Ms Dalmayne claims one drop of this solution is 500 times more than what the human body is supposed to have.
On a website called Leonardo’s Healing Space, he writes: “This is a place to provide effective Natural Health items suited to certain Healing Protocols found online, which may use CD, MMS and CDS.
“I seek alternative health items that are the most effective and I use them personally and in helping others. I do not offer any claims and prefer the people to educate themselves on the uses of the products found here. This is a path to empowerment and self improvement.”
On a Youtube video by Leon Edwards, his testimonial says: “In 2010 I saw a post on Facebook about MMS - Master Mineral Solution www.jimhumble.biz I began to read about it and it took over my life studying everything I could find on it. I then brought some and very quickly (around a week) the arthritis in my knee completely disappeared! I have had no symptoms ever since."
It continued: “I then learnt Jim Humble was running seminars in the Dominican Republic to learn how to make MMS at home how to treat others and myself. So I travelled over there in February 2011- sick! I spoke to Jim and he got a humidifier and put MMS in it and told me to breathe in two breaths which I did and he said come back tomorrow and breathe in three breaths which I did and in five breaths and two days I went from being very sick to completely healed it was miraculous!!! MMS used to be called Miracle Mineral Solution, but it’s not it’s just very simple Chemistry- Oxidation.
“I returned back to England and continued working in Pharmacy, all the while buying the materials and helping others sending them the Sodium Chlorite and Citric Acid drops and helping people on Facebook etc.
“I have been helping more and more people through word of mouth, Facebook, etc, and also making a living and I love it.”
He has an open Facebook group called MMS England with more than 1,700 members.
As well as various solutions, ‘enema items’ including syringes are on sale on the Leonardo’s Healing Space site.
When contacted, Mr Edwards refused to comment.
A Government spokesperson said: "Miracle Mineral Solution can cause serious damage to health and in some cases even death. Anyone who has bought these products is advised to throw them away. If they have been taken and the person feels unwell, they should consult their doctor.
"We are working closely with local areas to make sure parents are aware of the risks of these supplements.”
A spokeswoman from the Food Standards Agency added: “The Food Standards Agency’s advice is that MMS is not safe and should not be sold as a supplement. Chlorine dioxide is commonly used as bleach, however it can be harmful especially if consumed. Under General Food Law all foods or supplements must be safe and fit for human consumption.
“To support this and protect consumers from harm, the investigation of unauthorised health claims and dangerous substances in supplements is a priority area for the Food Standards Agency. We are working with local authorities and other Government departments to investigate and address the matter appropriately.”
