Activated charcoal is not used for which type of toxins?

• A. Caustics (bleach)
• B. Alcohol
• C. Charged ions (Lithium)
• D. Heavy metals (Iron, Lead)

Answer: (A)

Activated charcoal works by adsorbing many organic toxins in the gut, using its large surface area to trap molecules and prevent absorption. It is not effective for caustic substances like bleach because these chemicals cause direct tissue injury and are not reliably bound by charcoal; giving charcoal can do little to prevent damage and may add risk from aspiration or interfere with assessment of the injury. In other categories, alcohols, charged ions, and heavy metals are also not well adsorbed by charcoal, so it wouldn’t be the appropriate treatment for those toxins. The focus for caustics is supportive care and airway protection, not charcoal decontamination.