Activated carbon is a highly porous substance made by heating coal or other materials. It has many uses, including water filtration, poison treatment, and air purification. It is also used in industrial processes and the food industry. However, it should only be used for medical purposes under supervision.
Activated carbon is a form of carbon that has been specially treated to create a particularly high surface area. Technically, any form of coal, not just coal, can be used to make activated carbon products, but coal is one of the most common sources of activated carbon. There are a wide range of uses for it, ranging from water filtration to poison treatment. Activated carbon is often included in products such as filters that can be purchased in the store, and it’s also possible to buy it on its own in bulk.
The most common way to make activated carbon is to heat it. Heating causes the gases inside to escape, leaving behind an extremely porous and light substance. Under magnification, a ball looks like a sort of crumpled pile of fabric, with each twist and fold providing more surface area. The large surface area is what makes it so very useful.
Instead of absorbing things, activated carbon absorbs them, which means that some materials will actually stick to the surface and form a film. Obviously, the more surface area there is, the more material will stick to the coal. A wide variety of substances will bind with it, and a few granules or grains can go a long way.
In medicine, activated charcoal is used to treat suspected cases of poisoning. If given in time, it will absorb the poison before it reaches the intestinal tract, limiting the amount absorbed by the body. It is also used in gas mask filters and hospital air filters, to absorb various substances in the air that may be harmful.
Some industrial processes require the use of activated carbon, such as metallurgy and wastewater treatment. Activated carbon is also used as a filter for some gases and chemicals and appears in the food industry as a filter for alcoholic beverages. Environmental agencies also use it to absorb various pollutants in the natural environment.
Although activated charcoal is used in case of poisoning, it should not be given to a patient without medical supervision. If you suspect poisoning, you should call a poison control center for directions and seek medical help right away. Try to carry the container the poison came in when seeking medical help, as it may be helpful to the doctor.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
