Is activated carbon safe?

[Ian Jay]

"Typically, heavy metals occur in wine at considerably below toxic levels. When metals occur at above trace amounts, they usually arise from accidental contamination after fermentation. For example, activated carbon can be an unsuspected source of chromium, calcium, and magnesium; diatomaceous earth may be a source of iron contamination; and bentonite can act as a source of aluminum."

Wine Science Principles and Applications
Ronald S. Jackson, PhD
Third edition 2008
Elsevier Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-12-373646-8

p 504

There is a certain irony in that the susbtances some use to 'clean' their produce may actually be adding unwanted compounds.

[Ian Jay]

Perhaps a better title would be 'Is activated carbon inert?'. I, like many others (I'm sure), assumed it was a neutral substance and was very surprised to read otherwise.

[heartcut]

If you choose to use activated carbon, be sure to use a food grade of the stuff- there's a lot of different types. I don't get a warm fuzzy from the no-name carbon sold by some of the on line distillation supplies.
Norit has some carbon products that are used by commercial distillers:
http://www.norit-americas.com/product/norit-d10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
and Cabochem has a basic learn about activated carbon page:
http://www.carbochem.com/activatedcarbon101.html#Types" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Ian Jay]

If you choose to use activated carbon, be sure to use a food grade of the stuff- there's a lot of different types. I don't get a warm fuzzy from the no-name carbon sold by some of the on line distillation supplies.
Norit has some carbon products that are used by commercial distillers:
http://www.norit-americas.com/product/norit-d10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
and Cabochem has a basic learn about activated carbon page:
http://www.carbochem.com/activatedcarbon101.html#Types" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Agreed. But does the average Joe who uses the 'Turbo plus Carbon' solution have your wisdom? Let us be frank and honest, the 'Turbo users' are not the most gifted when it comes to research!