Activated charcoal & carbon comes from the same place as the common charcoal that you are familiar with. Regular charcoal comes from things like coconut shells, wood, coal, petroleum or peat. However, it becomes AC (“activated charcoal”) when common charcoal is heated in the presence of a gas. The result of this process is the charcoal develops plenty of “pores” of internal spaces. It is these pores that helps AC “trap” things like chemicals and contaminants.
This ability to trap or filter out harmful substances is what makes it so useful. It makes it useful as a water filter.
You should not confuse AC with the regular charcoal briquettes that you use to light a barbecue.
While both of them come from the same base materials, the barbecue charcoal briquette is not “activated”. Also, the barbecue briquette will typically contain other substances, which are toxic for human beings.
The articles below will review the value of activated charcoal & carbon in the context of water. It is one of the most popular forms of water filtration, especially when it comes to water filter jugs. It is so good it will probably change your life and these articles will tell you why.
Problems with Carbon Filtered Water Here are some essential considerations before investing in carbon filtration. Perhaps the biggest problem with using activated charcoal is the amount of time it takes to filter water. One of the most popular carbon filter water bottles is from and it takes a minimum of 1 hour to work at…
The Biggest Problems With Granular Activated Carbon Filtration GAC (Granular Activated Carbon), a water-cleaning material, effectively captures germs and chemicals. However, it has limitations in dealing with heavy metals and minerals in water. GAC is highly effective against organic compounds and some chemicals, but its efficiency in addressing minerals and metals may be insufficient for…
Issues and Problems with Carbon-Based Water Filters If the filter cartridge is left unused for an extended period, such as 4 weeks, it may become clogged and its contents may harden, especially if it hasn’t been soaked in water and allowed to dry. If this occurs, bacteria can potentially accumulate and multiply. While it’s unlikely…
Solid Carbon Filters Are Very Good For: Metals. Nitrate. Parasites. Chemicals. Pesticides. Herbicides. But they do NOT remove minerals that naturally occur in water and are good for you. So it actually makes water healthier. This, in my opinion, makes it one of the best filtration options out there. It might even be better than…