Charcoal business is not only hurting Zambia’s environment but also causing serious health challenges.
A glimpse into the charcoal trade at Lupili Market
At 3 PM (15:00hrs) Zambian
time, Lupili Market in Mandevu Compound, one of Lusaka's largest hubs for the
charcoal trade, is alive with the sounds of women energetically negotiating
deals and selling charcoal in various quantities.
After spending just 20
minutes in the market, I already looked like I had been dipped in charcoal dust
from head to toe. I suddenly developed a cough, and my eyes became teary from
the charcoal dust particles that filled the air. Instinctively, I reached for
my scarf to cover my mouth and nose.
"This is what we
normally deal with here every day," 62-year-old Mervis Kunda, a charcoal
trader, teasingly tells me as she repackages a 90kg bag of charcoal into
smaller quantities in readiness for sale.
Kunda has been in the
charcoal trade business for over two decades. She buys pre-produced charcoal in
90kg bags from rural producers, mainly in Mpongwe and Kapiri Mposhi districts. At
Lupili Market, a charcoal trading hub adjacent to Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, she
repackages the charcoal into smaller quantities to cater to various customer
needs, ensuring flexibility in pricing to match market demand.
According to her, a 90kg
bag normally costs between K150 (US$6) and K250 (US$10). However, due to the
recent charcoal production permit ban in some districts by the government, the
cost of charcoal has doubled, pushing prices significantly higher than usual.
Charcoal trading has
been the only source of livelihood for Kunda, a widow, mother, and grandmother.
Through this business, she has managed to build a home and provide for her
family.
Despite the financial
profits, Kunda acknowledges that engaging in the charcoal trade business poses
significant risks, not only to the environment but also to one's health. For
years, she has experienced persistent chest pains and coughing due to prolonged
exposure to charcoal dust.
Charcoal Traders’ Reliance on Kachasu: A Costly and Dangerous Remedy
Kunda said she takes a
shot of locally-brewed spirit, commonly known as Kachasu, every day. She
believes it helps clear the inhaled charcoal dust from her system and is
cheaper than other remedies.
Kachasu is an illegal,
highly intoxicating spirit, distilled in drums through a homemade system. It is
consumed mainly in rural areas and poor urban suburbs of Zambia.
"Before, we used to
take milk, but not anymore. It's expensive and not that effective. Kachasu has
proved to be very effective; it was even used as a preventive substance against
contracting COVID-19 during the outbreak," she added.
Next to Kunda's trading
space is Elizabeth Phiri's, a 32-year-old single mother of two who sells
charcoal in small, flimsy plastic packets.
Phiri appeared
unconcerned as black charcoal dust adorned her skin, hair, and clothes, even
reaching her exposed pot of food nearby. She has been in the business for four
years now, and like Mervis, she also takes Kachasu to cope with the health
risks of breathing charcoal-contaminated air at the market.
"Charcoal hurts our
chests when we breathe, but there's nothing we can do because we need to
survive and put food on the table. A shot of Kachasu daily helps us clear the
charcoal dust from our bodies," Phiri said.
Another trader, who
wished to remain anonymous, often brings her toddler daughter to the market due
to a lack of childcare options. She disclosed that she sometimes gives her
daughter Kachasu to protect her from the effects of charcoal dust.
"I normally feed
her milk to neutralize the dust, but if milk is not available, I let her have a
sip of Kachasu instead," she said.
Warning from health expert
Medical practitioners
warn that relying on alcohol as a solution can lead to its own health problems,
such as addiction, liver damage, and exacerbation of respiratory issues.
Dr. Joseph Banda, a
General Practitioner advised
against this practice as it can cause other serious health challenges.
"There is no
scientific evidence to support the idea that alcohol can mitigate the effects
of charcoal dust inhalation. Using it as a coping mechanism can only lead to
serious health problems," Dr. Banda said.
Hidden health crises
The stories of Lupili
Market charcoal traders highlight the significant health risks that many women,
who are often the primary traders in this industry, face in order to survive
economically.
Recent findings from the
Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) show that women's
involvement in charcoal production and trade has increased across the country,
especially in packaging and trading already processed charcoal.
While charcoal traders
believe that drinking locally-brewed spirits helps them cope with the effects
of charcoal dust, medical experts say it is not a medically recognised
treatment or preventive measure.
According to the World
Health Organisation (WHO), 4.2 million people die prematurely every year from
illnesses attributed to ambient air pollution worldwide. Many of these people
live in underdeveloped countries like Zambia, where air pollution levels exceed
WHO air quality guidelines.
Dr. Banda also stressed
that prolonged exposure to charcoal dust inhalation has several health effects,
including respiratory irritation, pulmonary issues, and carbon monoxide
poisoning, among others.
"Particles of
charcoal dust can reach deep into the lungs, potentially causing inflammation
and damage to lung tissue. Charcoal can also produce carbon monoxide, which can
be harmful when inhaled in high concentrations. Symptoms of carbon monoxide
poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, and even death in severe
cases," he added.
Climate Change Activist
Rachael Nyambe stressed the need for more alternative income-generating
opportunities, adding that such initiatives would not only alleviate the health
risks faced by people involved in the charcoal trade but also tackle the
pressing issue of deforestation in the country.
According to United
Nations (UN) statistics, Zambia’s deforestation rate is a staggering 250,000 to
300,000 hectares per year, one of the highest in the world. Charcoal and wood
fuel production is listed as one of the primary reasons behind this.
“By diversifying
livelihoods away from activities like charcoal production, communities can
reduce their impact on forests, thereby mitigating adverse effects such as
droughts linked to deforestation,” Ms. Nyambe said.
Resignation to the situation
Back at Lupili Market,
when asked if she has ever sought medical help for her condition, Kunda
dismissed the idea, saying it would be a waste of money and time.
“Even if I go to the
hospital, I will still come back here and be covered in charcoal dust again
because this is my work, so I don’t see the point,” she said.
This story was published under the Wildlife
Crime Prevention (WCP) Zamba Environmental Crime Journalism Fellowship.
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