According to a May 2016 study in Food Chemistry, removing meat drippings (aka, cutting off the fat before cooking) reduced the amount of four different PAHs by 48 to 89 percent, and removing smoke reduces 41 to 74 percent of PAHs in grilled meats. The same study also noted that grilling under stable combustion, aka a stable heat, reduces PAHs.
Charcoal lumps are made from natural wood pieces, so they vary in shape and size. Lump charcoal is one of the most flavourful fuel sources, producing tremendous and consistent smoke but it burns out faster than briquettes, making them perfect for searing steaks or cooking roasts.
Long-term exposure [to these fumes] can lead to a variety of respiratory illnesses and cancer. The toxins from the smoke can also enter the body through the skin, and research has shown that it can be an equally concerning issue, the Lakatos twins explain.