The National Space Research Institute, based in the southern Brazilian city of São José dos Campos, has developed an oven that reduces the emissions of smoke and dangerous gases in the small-scale production of plant-based charcoal. Similar to a traditional oven, the model adds one system for burning the gases and another for eliminating the solid particles generated in the process, like toluene, benzene, tar and acetic acid, which are toxic to health and to the environment.

“Many gases are carcinogens. We see people with deteriorated health, slow movements, and a large portion have lung problems,” project developer Jerónimo Travelho told Tierramérica.

Furthermore, the oven prevents the closure of the small charcoal producers that was planned by the environmental authorities. In Salesópolis alone, an ecotourism city near Sao Paulo, 5,000 families rely on that trade for income.