The Nation : Death Blamed on Illegal AIDS Remedy

Industrial-strength hydrogen peroxide is being illegally sold by mail as a home remedy for AIDS and has led to death and illness after being mistaken for drinking water, the government warned. Called “Biowater” and “H202,” the 35% food-grade hydrogen peroxide is sold as an “alternative medicine” by distributors in Wisconsin, Minnesota, California and Texas, the Food and Drug Administration said. “Buyers are being cheated and subjected to significant risks and family members are being injured,” FDA Commissioner Frank Young said. In addition to being promoted as a treatment for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, the chemical is also sold as a medicine for cancer and 60 other ailments ranging from athlete’s foot to acne.