Part 2 - Whole Body Filtration

Over 80% removal of most common PFAS in 120 minutes - American Chemical Society 2026 Report

In Part 1 we reviewed the public exposure to PFAS forever chemicals and the extensive use of activated charcoal in their removal from drinking water. In Part 2, we look at the role of activated charcoal in the removal of PFAS compounds from the human body. Because PFAS do not break down in nature or the human body, they stick around and accumulate. Their half-life can extend to five or more years. These chemicals are not benign; they are extremely toxic to both the environment and the human body.

Health Risks – You Should Be Concerned.

As mentioned in Part 1, PFAS exposure is linked to reduced immune response, reproductive issues, developmental delays in children, elevated cholesterol, thyroid disorders, and increased risks of certain cancers. Because of their tenacious resistance to breaking down naturally, they can cross vast distances and, over decades, accumulate globally in food ecosystems and throughout our bodies - notably in the blood, liver, and kidneys, but also in bones and reproductive organs.

Here's a link to the many Hiding Places in consumer goods. Consequently, we highly recommend being your own investigator and inspector, make hard decisions, and “Be Your Own Doctor”. Just this year, breaking research has provided those with ears to hear solid evidence of how to help prevent and reverse the accumulation of PFAS in the body.

Activated Charcoal Whole-Body Detox for PFAS chemicals.

Given its proven ability to adsorb thousands of other natural and manmade toxins, its worldwide use in over one million kidney and liver dialysis units, and the fact that it is highly effective in capturing PFAS in drinking water, it was not a stretch for researchers to consider activated charcoal [from coconut shell] as a potential whole-body detox of PFAS compounds.

While not an established medical practice, very recent clinical studies endorse the researchers’ conclusion that activated charcoal has potential clinical use in the removal of PFAS from the body. By extension, what about its home use as a simple whole-body detox? Read on.

Vegetable Activated Charcoal for Human Consumption Reduces Selected PFAS Levels in a Bile Secretion Model: Cues on Its Possible Clinical Use

Chemical Research in Toxicology 2026, 39, 5, 900-907, May 5, 2026 [ACS Publications]

Read article review Activated Charcoal adsorption of PFAS in Bile Secretion Model

This article was published by the American Chemical Society, considered one of the most trusted, most cited and most widely read chemical journal publishers. The application of activated charcoal in the removal of thousands of compounds, including PFAS chemicals, is not new research. No, the researchers did not test all 14,000 PFAS compounds, but they did test a representative group. What they found is very exciting.

In a laboratory-simulated setting, as little as one teaspoon of coconut shell activated charcoal powder was enough to eliminate over 80% of six common PFAS compounds in less than two hours. Yes, less than two hours!

The Experiment

Researchers mixed activated charcoal with bile juice to determine whether it could prevent six PFAS chemicals from being picked up and recirculated through the liver to the rest of the body. Their hypothesis proved correct. Very little PFAS was reabsorbed from the gut. Instead, over 80% was removed from the body.

How Long?

Let me ask a fair question: If a child were suffering from developmental delays, how long is a concerned, informed parent going to wait and watch for more research?

Too long?

Activated charcoal does not violate the Hippocratic Oath. If charcoal does no good, it will not add to the problem. That is one reason why the World Health Organization (WHO) lists charcoal as #10 on its Essential Medicines List. Activated charcoal is not trendy hype. It is historical backbone. It is simple yet profoundly scientific, affordable and accessible everywhere, free from adverse side effects, faith-inspiring, environmentally responsible, and easy to use or apply.

SAFE²

For those who are interested in following the research “cues” and giving Activated Charcoal a try, you can review this Detox Program.

The technical specifications for the food grade coconut shell activated charcoal used in the above research compare closely with USP Coconut Activated Charcoal Powder - Detox and Cleanse

Topical Use of Activated Charcoal for Removal of PFAS

Given that it is well documented that Activated Charcoal is able to draw out toxins from deep tissue [CharcoalRemedies The Complete Handbook, pp108,150; The Lancet, Sept 13, 1980 pp108, 594], and given that artificial dialysis units are routinely used to filter and purify blood in patients with failing liver or kidneys, once again it is not a wild experiment to apply an activated charcoal poultice over the liver and/or kidneys where PFAS also accumulate. Another application would be a warm immersion bath with activated charcoal powder (½ cup) mixed in. In these applications a hardwood-based activated charcoal powder would be a substitute for the coconut-based activated charcoal.

Okay, let's calm down any excitement from the skeptics. Rather than using PFAS fire retardant to extinguish any interest in experimenting for oneself, let's suggest that in real time we can only expect 20–40% removal in 24–48 hours. For those aligned with toxic alternatives, for comparison, please show us equally reputable scientific research that demonstrates even half as much reduction of PFAS, with no obvious negative side effects as does activated charcoal. Drinking ion-exchange resin is not an option.

While more confirmation research is always encouraging, if you, a family member, or a friend is a victim of PFAS poisoning, how long are you willing to wait for more "empirical" proof? Until some researcher achieves 99% removal in 60 seconds? Or until your loved one succumbs?

  • Vada study showed activated charcoal binding to major peanut allergens in 60 seconds, significantly slowing anaphylaxis. Charcoal Remedies p.136

In Conclusion

We have said it before. We do not believe charcoal cures disease. However, we do believe it famously removes toxins from the body, allowing the body to heal itself as the Creator designed it to. Charcoal Works®

Here’s to your health!

Part 1 – Removal of PFAS from Drinking Water

Call us with any questions you may have, and we will try to steer you in the right direction.

308-665-1566

Author: John Dinsley

John Dinsley is co-owner of Charcoal House LLC, an educator, writer, and longtime researcher of activated charcoal applications. Trained as a lifestyle counselor, John has taught public health programs, workshops on charcoal, hydrotherapy, nutrition and other natural remedies seminars across the U.S. and internationally.