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Compounds and Cleaning · Compound · Toxin-binding carbon

Activated Charcoal

Ultra-porous carbon that traps substances on its vast surface. Used to bind some swallowed toxins, as a traditional drawing poultice for bites and stings, and to improve the taste and odor of water, though it does not make unsafe water safe to drink.

INDEFINITE IF DRYMULTI-USEHandle with careWorks without power

Quick facts

Works by
Adsorption
Form
Black powder
Hazard class
Low; nuisance dust
Shelf life
Indefinite if dry
Storage
Sealed glass jar
What to avoid
Odors, moisture

See everything activated charcoal must never touch

What it's good for

Poison binding

Adsorbs some toxins

Bites & stings

Drawing poultice

Odor control

Pulls smells from air

Water filter

Sediment & taste, 7.3

A sponge for molecules: its huge surface adsorbs toxins until full, then it is spent, so each dose works once.

Good to know

Adsorb, not absorb. Charcoal works by adsorption: molecules cling to the outside of its vast, pitted surface like burrs on a sweater, rather than soaking in like a sponge, and a single gram can hide up to a thousand square meters of surface. But the fit is selective. It traps many organic toxins and drugs yet barely touches alcohols (including methanol), strong acids and bases, petroleum, cyanide, ethylene glycol, lithium, iron, arsenic, and other metals, so for those it is the wrong tool.

Handling and safety

Not for all poisons

It does not bind alcohols, metals, lye, or fuels, and it also soaks up medicines taken recently; call Poison Control first.

Only if fully alert

Never give it to someone drowsy, confused, vomiting, or fading; charcoal breathed into the lungs can be deadly.

Timing matters

For ingestions it works best within about an hour of swallowing, though some slow-release drugs still benefit later.

Black stool is normal

Charcoal turns stool dark, which is expected and harmless.

Eight jobs it does

  • Water filtration (chlorine, chemicals)
  • Poison and overdose aid (with guidance)
  • Air purification for closed spaces
  • Drawing poultice for bites
  • Bloating and gas relief
  • Teeth and gum cleaner
  • Mold and odor control
  • Rain-barrel filter media

If it goes bad Adsorption drops as it takes on moisture. Bake at 200F to refresh.

What I buy

My pick: activated charcoal on Amazon.

Recipes for activated charcoal

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

What is activated charcoal used for?

It binds some swallowed toxins with Poison Control guidance, works as a drawing poultice for bites and stings, and filters chlorine, chemicals, taste and odor from water, though it does not make unsafe water safe. It also purifies air, controls mold and odors, relieves bloating and gas, and cleans teeth and gums.

How long does activated charcoal last in storage?

Activated charcoal lasts indefinitely if it stays dry. Its adsorption drops as it takes on moisture, and baking it at 200F refreshes it. Each dose only works once, because the surface fills up and is then spent.

How do I store activated charcoal?

Store it in a sealed glass jar and keep it away from odors and moisture, since it pulls both from the air and loses adsorption capacity. If it has taken on moisture, bake it at 200F to refresh it.

Keep going

Read nextActivated charcoal for poison ingestion or digestive illnessActivated charcoal works by trapping toxins in millions of microscopic pores before your body can absorb them.Medical · Formula

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