BMJ Open · 5 authors, 4 centres
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This systematic review synthesized peer-reviewed evidence on health risks linked to charcoal production and usage across the world, covering seven databases from inception to 26 February 2021. The findings linked charcoal production and usage with respiratory diseases, cancer, DNA damage, carbon monoxide poisoning, physical injuries, cardiovascular effects, and other adverse health outcomes.
This systematic review searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS for peer-reviewed studies on associations between charcoal production/use and health outcomes. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed quality. A meta-analysis was not conducted due to high variability in study designs, exposure settings, and population groups. Respiratory diseases were the most commonly reported outcome across 21 studies, including cases of asthma, tuberculosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Additional health outcomes included cancer (n=3), DNA damage (n=3), carbon monoxide poisoning (n=2), physical injuries (n=2), and several single-study outcomes. The review concluded that charcoal, despite being considered a relatively cleaner fuel than other solid fuels, is associated with adverse health effects similar to those linked to other biomass fuels. Limitations included heterogeneity across included studies and some health outcomes being evidenced by only a single study.
