Common charcoal is typically manufactured from a variety of organic materials, including coal, peat, wood, petroleum, or even the shells of coconuts. The process of creating “activated charcoal” involves manufacturers heating common charcoal in the presence of specific gases. This treatment causes the charcoal to develop numerous internal spaces or pores that significantly enhance its surface area, allowing activated charcoal to effectively trap and bind various chemicals. It is for this important reason that activated charcoal has become a popular choice for absorbing toxic substances and impurities in various applications.