air flight:

If your facility atmosphere has the potential for hazardous concentrations of activated carbon, you may need an EX rated forklift.

A review of several Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) for Activated Carbon indicates that the material is explosive under certain concentrations with air. Synonyms include: Activated Charcoal, Activated Powder, Activated Coal.

The following statement comes from the J.T. Baker Chemical Company MSDS for Carbon, Activated, Powder: "5. Fire Fighting Measures, Fire: As with most organic solids, fire is possible at elevated temperatures or by contact with an ignition source. Activated carbon is difficult to ignite and tends to burn slowly (smolder) without producing smoke or flame. Wet activated carbon depletes oxygen from the air. Materials allowed to smolder for long periods in enclosed spaces, may produce amounts of carbon monoxide which may reach the lower explosive limit for carbon monoxide of 12.5% in air. Contact with strong oxidizers such as ozone or liquid oxygen may cause rapid combustion. Explosion: Fine dust dispersed in air in sufficient concentrations, and in the presence of an ignition source is a potential dust explosion hazard. Minimum explosible concentration 0.140 g/l. Fire Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide. Special Information: In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode."

US OSHA requires forklifts used in atmospheres containing hazardous concentrations of carbon black, coal or coke dust to be EX rated. Activated Carbon may fall into this category.

"US OSHA 1910.178(c)(2)(ii)(a): Power-operated industrial trucks shall not be used in atmospheres containing hazardous concentrations of metal dust, including aluminum, magnesium, and their commercial alloys, other metals of similarly hazardous characteristics, or in atmospheres containing carbon black, coal or coke dust except approved power-operated industrial trucks designated as EX may be used in such atmospheres."

I recommend you contact your property/casualty insurer and request a field engineer to review your facility to help you determine your forklift classification needs and methods to control dust exposure.

I also recommend you obtain and review the activated carbon material safety data sheets from each product manufacturer that you use.

Explosivity is not the only hazard posed by activated carbon. Your "very dusty environment" also poses respiratory and cardiovascular health hazards as the msds's will indicate. Both issues need to be addressed.