Charcoal

Other names: Wooden charcoal, Charcoal

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

Charcoal, also known as wood charcoal or simply charcoal, is a material that is produced by pyrolysis of wood in a limited air supply or, nowadays, often in retorts. The aim is to remove all of the non-carbon components of the wood, leaving only pure carbon, which is then processed into the desired shape and size. Its colour is black, it is brittle and lightweight, with a high absorption capacity and a high thermal advantage.

Charcoal finds application in many fields. The use of charcoal can be found in industry, where it is used as a fuel or as a reducing agent in the production of steel and iron. It is also used as a basic material in the production of activated carbon, which is used in many industries including water, food, medical and pharmaceutical. In the home, it is generally used for conventional barbecues, where it provides a specific flavour and aroma to food, but it can also be used as a biofuel for fireplaces and stoves. Recently, it has also become popular in the cosmetics industry, where it is used in many products such as cleansing masks, toothpastes and shampoos, due to its absorbent and purifying properties.