What is the role of activated charcoal in pesticide poisoning?

• A. To adsorb pesticides that may have been ingested.
• B. To neutralize pesticides chemically.
• C. To speed up the absorption of pesticides.
• D. To act as an antidote for all pesticides.

Answer: (A)

Activated charcoal works by adsorbing pesticides that may have been ingested, binding them in the gastrointestinal tract to reduce how much enters the bloodstream. This relies on physical adsorption, not chemical changes, so it does not neutralize the pesticide or render it harmless through a chemical reaction. It also does not speed up absorption; in fact, it slows absorption by keeping the toxin bound in the gut for excretion. It is not a universal antidote for all pesticides, and its use depends on factors like the specific pesticide involved and the time since ingestion.