Tamara Flores
Prepare to be amazed by the power of activated charcoal! This seemingly ordinary substance, reminiscent of something you’d throw into an old steam locomotive, has incredible properties. Not only is it used in emergency medicine to counteract certain types of poisoning, but it also works wonders in absorbing unwanted odors, including those pesky farts.
Now, let’s talk about flying. Did you know that the air inside the cabin is pressurized to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for passengers and crew? The external pressure at high altitudes is much lower than what we’re used to on the ground, so the cabin needs to be pressurized. This means that a significant amount of air is constantly being recycled, sometimes passing through a filter. And guess what? Charcoal plays a role here too!
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which are used in airplanes, utilize charcoal to remove airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns. This not only benefits your health but also helps keep the cabin smelling fresh.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room (or rather, the airplane). It’s a well-known fact that people tend to fart more frequently when flying at high altitudes. Just think about how your bag of crisps expands as you ascend – the same thing is happening to the gases in your intestines!
Thankfully, science has come up with a clever solution for this “rectum scale” issue. A paper titled “Flatulence On Airplanes: Just Let It Go” suggests embedding activated charcoal in seat cushions to neutralize any unpleasant odors. This way, passengers can release their gas without worrying about social complications.
So, textile artists, take note! Let’s not forget the funky patterns we find on buses and trains, which also have interesting origins. Now, it’s time to revolutionize airplane seats with some charcoal-infused cushions!
