Properties and Applications
There are several factors that influence the potential and effectiveness of activated carbon. For instance, the pore size, the distribution and manufacturing process widely decides for what purpose they are going to be utilized. The large molecules are better than the smaller ones in absorption. The process of adsorption (i.e. attracting the molecules to be absorbed on the surface of the charcoal body) is increased as the pH and the temperature decreases. The flow rate too impacts the process of filtration as the contaminants are removed effectively if they are in contact with the activated charcoal for a longer time.
The microscopic image of an activated carbon shows millions of microspores in them that help in excellent absorption. Activated carbon fails to bind with certain chemicals such as alcohols, glycols, strong acids, metals and most inorganics like lithium, sodium, iron, lead, arsenic, fluorine and boric acid. Gases such as carbon monoxide are not adsorbed by activated carbon.
The absorption power of activated carbon can absorb more than 4000 poisons, toxins and wastes and are able to absorb other solutions like Valium, Penicillin, Morphine, Cocaine and some more. They are available in hospitals and Poison Control Centers to save people in cases of poison ingestion, drug overdose and chemical ingestion. Activated carbon is also beneficial for cases such as infections on lips, acne, cold sores in mouth, heartburn, indigestion and food poisoning in patients, cases of lumps, cancer and parasites in the intestine and several poisonous infections such as snakes bites, rash, poison ivy or toe nail infections to name a few. They are also used to cure cholestasis in pregnant women who have been suffering from excess bile secretions.
Activated carbon is used to disinfect and deodorize wounds. It is also used to eliminate toxic by-products that results in anemia in cancer patients. A piece of this charcoal helps to filter toxins from blood in the liver due to liver and kidney diseases and is sometimes used to purify blood in blood transfusions. Physicians use activated carbon to treat inflammation, intestinal infections, as a cleansing and healing agent, to cure bee stings and jaundice in new born babies.
Precautions
It is always advisable that you rush to your nearby hospital in case of poisoning, drug overdose or chemical ingestion. However, for other uses, the directions of dosing is mentioned below:
Treatment with one dose:
- Adults and teenagers- 25-100 grams mixed with water.
- Children- 1-12 years of age- 25-50 grams mixed with water (the dose may vary according to body weight-0.5-1 g/kg of body weight mixed with water)
- Children- up to 1 year: 10-25 grams mixed with water (according to body weight-0.5-1 g/kg body weight mixed with water)
- Pregnant Women- 3 grams thrice a day with water.
For Pregnant and Breast Feeding Mothers: When used for short-term, the activated charcoal might be useful for pregnant and breast feeding mothers, but it is advisable that you consult your doctor before dosing.
Intestinal problems: In case of any kind of intestinal obstruction, stay away from activated charcoal. Unless you are being monitored by your healthcare provider, patients with reduced peristalsis should not consume activated charcoal.
