Description
Activated Charcoal is derived from processing charcoal in a manner that leaves it extremely porous. This results in each granule of activated charcoal possessing an extremely large surface area. Indeed, as typically determined through the measurement of nitrogen gas absorption, a single gram of activated carbon has a surface area greater than 500 square meters. That translates into a single gram of activated charcoal powder having a surface area roughly one tenth the size of a football field. This makes activated charcoal quite absorbent. As a result it is commonly used in spill cleanup, drinking water filtration, and air purification. Medically, activated charcoal is used to treat poisoning and overdoses. In hospitals it is often used in favor of induced vomiting and stomach pumping techniques. Some also view it as a potentially helpful in treating various other forms of gastric distress, such as acid reflux. Topically, it is sometimes used for treating insect bites such as bee and scorpion stings. This is a 1 oz packet of activated charcoal powder.