Activated Charcoal and its Benefits in Medical and Environment.....

Activated charcoal is also known as activated carbon and is used to treat mouth poisoning. Typically, it is used to treat poisoning of the mouth within a short period. It should be used within one hour of poisoning.
Ordinally this medicine is not effective and should not be used in poisoning by cyanide, corrosive agents, iron, or lithium. Common side effects include vomiting, black stool, and diarrhea.
Activated charcoal works by absorbing toxins. In medicine it is used as an adsorptive property, it allows to trap the toxins and chemicals in the gut.

• 1. Poison Ingestion — Activated charcoal is used to treat different types of oral poisoning such as phenobarbital and carbamazepine. It is also not effective for several poisons such as strong acids or bases, iron, lithium, and arsenic.
• 2. Gastrointestinal disorder — It can calm down stomach upset such as gastrointestinal problems, gas, and bloating by absorbing excess gas and toxins.
• 3. Drug detoxification  — Activated charcoal is also used as a drug detoxifier by removing toxins or drugs from the body, in cases of substance abuse or overdose.
• 4. Lower cholesterol  — Some studies suggest it might help to lower cholesterol levels by binding bile acids in the digestive system and carrying them out of the body.
• 5. Kidney Function —   — In some cases of Kidney failure or uremia activated charcoal may be used to help remove urea and other waste products from blood.
• 6. Oral Health  —  — Activated charcoal is an ingredient in some toothpaste and mouthwashes. It whitens the teeth, removes stains, and removes bad odors from the mouth.
• 7. Skincare —  — Activated charcoal is used in various skin care products such as face masks, cleansers, spot treatments, body scrubs, and many others. Activated charcoal draws out impurities, and oil production from the pores, dirt and leaving skin clean and refreshed.

• 1. Water filtration — One of the main uses of activated charcoal is in water filtration both in municipal and industrial settings.
  In municipal setting — It is utilized to remove several soluble organics as well as inorganic compounds and heavy metals after the initial stage.
  In industrial settings — a variety of wastewater streams are removed with the help of activated charcoal.
• 2. Drinking water purification —  — Activated charcoal removes contaminates from water such as chlorine, volatile organic compounds, and unpleasant taste and odor.
• 3. Aquarium Filtration —  —  — In an aquarium activated charcoal helps to maintain the water clarity and quality by removing dissolved organic compounds.
• 4. Air Purification —  —  — Activated charcoal is capable of absorbing undesirable compounds from gases, and it improves air quality control. It is used in both office and home environments to improve air quality. Most probably its role is seen in removing the flue gas.

Advantages

One of the major advantages of using activated charcoal is that it can be regenerated. This means the adsorbed component can be desorbed from the activated charcoal and the fresh charcoal can be reused again.

Not all activated charcoal is reused again, but reusing can save money and can be better for the environment compared to making new activated charcoal. When activated charcoal is reused it is done usually by heating in a special machine called rotary kiln.

Conclusion

Activated charcoal is a versatile substance and it has a wide range of applications in medical, environmental, and industrial. Its effectiveness in adsorbing toxins and impurities makes it unique and valuable. Activated charcoal can be used with safety caution and under professional guidance particularly when used in health related.

Posted by admin | 2024-5-27