About

Activated charcoal (also called activated carbon) is a form of carbon thats been processed to have millions of tiny pores, giving it an extremely large surface area. This makes it very good at adsorbing (binding to the surface) chemicals, toxins, and impurities.

What it is

• Made from carbon-rich materials like coconut shells, wood, peat, or coal

• Activated using high heat and steam or chemicals to create microscopic pores

• Different from regular charcoal (e.g., BBQ charcoal), which is not safe for these uses

Common uses

• Medical: Emergency treatment for certain poisonings or overdoses (used under medical supervision)

• Water filtration: Removes chlorine, odors, organic compounds, some chemicals

• Air purification: Traps odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)