A glimpse into the charcoal trade at Lupili Market

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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, 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 neutralise 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 help 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 exposureto 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 comeback here and be covered in charcoal dust again because this is my work, so I don’t see the point,” she said.

Annie Zulu is a fellow under the Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) fellowship for journalists. The MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism, in partnership with WCP, provided training in investigative journalism skills and supported journalists in working on impactful stories that promote environmental protection and drive change.