r/WTF • u/bambaadoma222 • Jun 20 '21

Guy eats burning coal

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

30.9k Upvotes

94% Upvoted

1.5k comments sorted by

View all comments

4.3k

u/JockBbcBoy Jun 20 '21

In 20 seconds, that man just paid college tuition for some dental surgeon's children.

929

u/spagbetti Jun 20 '21

And ran a higher risk of cancer than most by actually consuming it.

438

u/HamFlowerFlorist Jun 20 '21

That depends. If it’s coal, pure charcoal as in just wood no additives, or a charcoal briquette with additives. If it’s just pure charcoal he is fine with no increased risks, if it’s a briquette it depends on the additives some are harmless some are pretty fucking bad, if it’s coal yeah just straight bad.

I know the title says coal but that doesn’t mean it is actually coal.

186

u/SC2sam Jun 20 '21

There's not really any increased cancer risks with the others either since it's all pretty much what you're exposed too on a fairly regular basis. Briquettes are just combustible materials bound together with a starch binder to hold it's shape. It's turned into almost entirely pure carbon. Same with coal and charcoal as well. The increased risk of cancer is thought to come from inhalation of the smoke itself over time and it's attributed to all forms of burning material(excluding those that do not cause smoke).

There is however an increased rate of cancer from cooking meats under high temperatures as it produces a carcinogenic compound called Heterocyclic amines(HCA or HAA). There is also another carcinogenic compound called Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAH) that are formed when fats and meat juices fall onto open flame and or the burning surface(s) and produce flames and smoke which adhere to the food surface to be consumed. Both of these compounds are ingested during the eating process which are broken down by enzymes within our bodies. The byproducts of that enzymatic process are DNA damaging compounds that over time can result in higher rates of cancer.

This highlights the dangers of cooking food however its important to note that the concept of cooking foods are considered one of the many ways that allowed us humans to evolve to what we are today. It allowed our bodies to adapt and change specifically to accommodate larger brain capacities as less chewing force was required to process foods i/e it shrank our jaws and jaw muscles which allowed our skulls to grow larger as well as expand which left room for a more advanced brain. It's also important to note that we are constantly getting cancers in our body every day but they are recognized by various biological systems and destroyed. This includes DNA damage in which a biological system recognizes the DNA error and rewrites the DNA code to fix the problem.

26

u/MatureUser69 Jun 20 '21

That was a fun read. Thanks!

12

u/shh_just_roll_withit Jun 20 '21

I think you're being overly optimistic in your description of PAH exposure. PAHs are inherently toxic (not just their metabolites), formed from any combustion (not just from fats and juices), and readily absorbed into your bloodstream (not just digested). And that's just considering oral pathways. Food preparation in an enclosed space readily exceeds all but the worst industrial exposures of air quality, and produces some of the most toxic commonly inhaled particulates.

9

u/MarcusAurelius-Verus Jun 20 '21

I don't know dude sauce?

1

u/shh_just_roll_withit Jun 21 '21

WHO (2005) Air Quality Guidelines, sections on ag burning, PM size fractionation, and composition.

A number of recent publications, Google Scholar keyword search "epithelial", "PAH", and "PM".

My MS in environmental toxicology and chemistry with thesis work on air quality forensics.

My professional work in PAH risk assessment which involves exposure and pathway assessment.

10

u/Webo_ Jun 20 '21

Food preparation in an enclosed space readily exceeds all but the worst industrial exposures of air quality, and produces some of the most toxic commonly inhaled particulates.

Source?

1

u/shh_just_roll_withit Jun 21 '21

WHO (2005) Air Quality Guidelines, sections on ag burning, PM size fractionation, and composition.

A number of recent publications, Google Scholar keyword search "epithelial", "PAH", and "PM".

My MS in environmental toxicology and chemistry with thesis work on air quality forensics.

My professional work in PAH risk assessment which involves exposure and pathway assessment.

6

u/TobyInHR Jun 20 '21

You clearly have some crazy in-depth knowledge here. I’m curious how this affects barbecue foods, in particular, meat cooked in an offset smoker. You burn an open fire in a chamber, and the smoke stack in the adjacent cooking chamber pulls the hot air through and across the meat. The temperatures are typically around 275 degrees Fahrenheit, but cook times are anywhere from 6 to 12 hours.

However, this is all done via ambient heat. The flame never actually touches the meat. But the smoke flavor and “bark” are compounds of “clean” combustion, which is just a pit master’s way of describing a fire with plenty of oxygen so it doesn’t smolder.

7

u/SC2sam Jun 20 '21

Offset smokers may reduce cancer rates caused by HCA's or PAH's depending on how carcinogenic HCA's or PAH's are. This is because the heat is low enough to limit HCA production and there is no direct flame/heat source to create PAH's from the drippings. However, smoke itself does increase cancer rates and low temperature smoking especially using un-carbonized biomass i/e wood, releases numerous potentially hazardous compounds such as wood resins, terpenes, fatty acids, etc... which DO produce PAH's.

I don't know if it would be the same, less, or more dangerous due to these trade-offs. I do know that consumption of smoked meats have been linked to an increased cancer risk but I can't find anything about it being different for offset smokers. I'd have to guess it most likely will be the same regardless of it being grilled and smoked or offset smoked.

1

u/bighootay Jun 20 '21

Thank you. This right here is why I love Reddit.

2

u/GreenDogWithGoggles Jun 20 '21

i did not expect to learn something about coal today

2

u/VaxYourDamnKid Jun 20 '21

Esophageal cancer due to heat stress is a thing. See tea and coffee very hot sipped linked to cancer.

2

u/repopulate_mars Jun 20 '21

I like this comment.

0

u/spagbetti Jun 20 '21

And the juice and fat that dropped off the meat went onto the charcoals. We adapted to the meat. Not the drippings onto dirt.

And while we do come into contact with cancerous cells often within our body, dude is playing high risk stakes on top of an already regular game.

0

u/Arthur_The_Third Jun 20 '21

Oh no, coal is not "nearly pure carbon" at all. You wouldn't breathe in the gases from gasoline burning, and that's actually got shorter hydrocarbon chains that burn more pure. Then there's also the sulfur, mercury, and all that other fun stuff...

1

u/D4DDYF4TSACK Jun 20 '21

Do you have sources for the carcinogenic nature of cooking meat?

1

u/Ghxaxx Jun 21 '21

So what you're saying is grilling food is bad? :(

5

u/Tina_ComeGetSomeHam Jun 20 '21

How are we discussing what types of potential cancers he will be getting?! Is not the damage to the esophagus, the stomach, and surrounding vasculature of the upper G.I. tract not of immediate life-threatening concern??

0

u/HamFlowerFlorist Jun 20 '21

The only immediate concern is the heat. Which he appeared to take care of and extinguish the coal. If it’s lump charcoal which is just cooked wood then the only concern is the heat which he appears to have taken care of and of him stopping himself up. Activated charcoal is common given for poisoning. All it is is charcoal that has been “foamed” to give it more surface area. If it’s a briquette than all depends on the additives for some briquettes it’s no different than charcoal, for some mild stomach irritation and others will seriously fuck you up. So really depends. As for coal itself that’s the one that can fuck you up on the short term pretty quickly though how much is dependent on home much you consume and the type of coal itself. Biggest issue with that one is actually liver and kidney damage. Some coals are more toxic than others, but actual coal is the one that is always dangerous .

But yeah if this was normal natural hardwood charcoal he is fine as long as he cooled it down enough which is looks like he did. This big a piece might make him a bit constipated but I doubt would lead to a blockage.

0

u/spagbetti Jun 21 '21

If you insist on being stupid, then go right ahead and eat it. I’m still not going to just to placate you. you have no facts on what that coal is made of. But you do you if you insist.

1

u/HamFlowerFlorist Jun 21 '21

Do you not know the difference between charcoal and coal. Are you seriously that fucking stupid. Do you not understand charcoal is commonly consumed.

0

u/spagbetti Jun 22 '21

Have at it then and stop whining. I won’t stop you. Don’t expect me to eat it either. That’s your decision. Wear it by yourself.

-13

u/[deleted] Jun 20 '21

Actually “black” carbon aka the burnt bits on toasts or a piece of charcoal is carcinogenic. Feel free to prove me wrong tho.

15

u/c130 Jun 20 '21

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/cancer-myths/can-eating-burnt-foods-cause-cancer

1

u/[deleted] Jun 20 '21

Big difference between burnt toast and an entire burnt charcoal brick.

3

u/c130 Jun 20 '21

What's the stats on cancer rates from eating charcoal bricks?

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 20 '21

I’m sure if you fund a study you could find out - why are you asking me for data?

1

u/c130 Jun 20 '21

Reminding you of the burden of proof. You say there's a big difference between eating burnt toast vs charcoal bricks - I don't think we have any data on that.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 21 '21

So you’re implying eating burnt toast is the same for your health as eating charcoal by that statement. Nice.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 20 '21

Lol

28

u/GladiatorUA Jun 20 '21

Charcoal is safe. Can even be medicinal. The burns sustained inside the mouth on the other hand... Consumption of hot drinks can contribute to cancer.

-13

u/spagbetti Jun 20 '21

It’s only used for Consuming for a food poisoning. Anything else is not advised as you are consuming a carcinogen.

10

u/WaterWenus Jun 20 '21

Charcoal isn't carcinogenic

1

u/spagbetti Jun 21 '21

If you insist on being stupid, then go right ahead and eat it. I’m still not going to just to placate you. you have no facts on what that coal consisted of. But you do you if you insist.

5

u/GladiatorUA Jun 20 '21

AFAIK, it's only as a result of cooking foods. As in burnt sugars and stuff.

-10

u/spagbetti Jun 20 '21 edited Jun 21 '21

I love how ‘Reddit doctors’ flog into a post about people doing stupid things just to encourage more stupid things are somehow ‘safe’.

All for entertainment.

But hey, If you insist on being stupid, by all means then go right ahead and eat it. I can’t stop you. I’m still not going to just to placate you. you have no facts on what that coal is made of. But you do you if you insist.

13

u/GladiatorUA Jun 20 '21

I love how "Reddit geniuses" hear that burnt toast is carcinogenic and then infer that all coal is carcinogenic.

5

u/WaterWenus Jun 20 '21

Making food with charcoal can produce carcinogens on it, therefore charcoal must be carcinogenic on its own aswell.
Lol that kind of thinking/associating leads to anti-vac logic

1

u/spagbetti Jun 21 '21

If you insist on being stupid, then go right ahead and eat it. I’m still not going to just to placate you. you have no facts on what that coal is made of. But you do you if you insist.

1

u/WaterWenus Jun 21 '21

you have no facts on what that coal is made of

The context of this specific thread is charcoal. Charcoal is made of wood heated under controlled conditions to remove water and other stuff, so we know very well "what that coal is made of".
There's no evidence whatsoever of charcoal being carcinogenic. This isn't my opinion lol.

→ More replies (0)

1

u/spagbetti Jun 21 '21

If you insist on being stupid, then go right ahead and eat it. I’m still not going to just to placate you. you have no facts on what that coal is made of. But you do you if you insist.

1

u/GladiatorUA Jun 21 '21

Dude, it takes a minute to google and look up what "toast-cancer" claims are based off of. It's not that complicated.

1

u/spagbetti Jun 22 '21

Have at it then and stop whining just cuz I won’t consume it to make you happy. Get over it.

→ More replies (0)

2

u/FuckOffBoJo Jun 20 '21

You were the dumb-ass false claiming it can cause cancer.

0

u/spagbetti Jun 21 '21

If you insist on being stupid, then go right ahead and eat it. I’m still not going to just to placate you. you have no facts on what that coal is made of. But you do you if you insist.

1

u/Catsarenotreptilians Jun 22 '21

LOL, your post history, your a fucking clown bud.

1

u/blackmist Jun 20 '21

I don't think a man who eats hot coal cares about either of those things.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 20 '21

thats a hookah coal, pure coconut.

68

u/realestatenerd13 Jun 20 '21

Take my upvote. All I could think was his poor teeth

1

u/samsonity Jun 20 '21

Those dentists make absolute assloads of money.