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Phurnacite Claims

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Phurnacite is the trade name of anthracite, which is mineral coal in its purest form. It has been widely used for more than sixty years in UK and is a very popular fuel. Some unique properties of phurnacite that make it such a useful fuel are:

  • It is the hardest form of coal,
  • It is a slow-burning, smokeless fuel,
  • It gives outstanding heat output,
  • It is a relatively low-cost fuel,
  • It gives consistent, long-lasting, controllable heat,
  • It can be stored at low temperatures for long periods of time.

Normally, phurnacite is used at times when high temperatures are required. It has a wide variety of industrial and domestic uses, for example:

  • Phurnacite is used in the production of high-grade steel,
  • It is used to generate power,
  • It can be used as fuel in room heaters, cookers, stoves and boilers,
  • It is used as a fuel in smelters and in the manufacturing, chemical and metallurgical industries.

Risks of Phurnacite

It was assumed that there were no risks attached to phurnacite burning and working under phurnacite fumes, until hundreds of former workers of the Phurnacite Plant Abercwmboi, South Wales, were diagnosed with serious health problems. These workers claimed in London’s High Court that working in the phurnacite plant is the reason for their health complaints. The final judgment given by the High Court concluded that the stance of the ex-workers was fair, and that there was an evident relationship between phurnacite fume inhalation and consequent diseases like lung cancer, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Some of the diseases associated with phurnacite exposure are:

  • Respiratory diseases,
  • Lung/respiratory cancers,
  • Chronic bronchitis,
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD),
  • Emphysema

Causes of the Harmful Effects of Phurnacite

In phurnacite industries, briquettes-forming processes involve crushing coal and mixing it with melted pitch. This reaction creates a lot of heat and temperature generation and release a large amount of toxic gases, ammonia, tar and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Exposure to these gases can cause cancer and respiratory problems. Unsafe working environments and unavailability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) increases the risk of phurnacite exposure.

Employers’ Responsibilities

Breathing in air that has been contaminated with phurnacite fumes and dust can lead to lung cancer and respiratory problems. It is the responsibility of employers to protect their workforce from hazardous exposure to toxic dusts and phurnacite fumes.  For this reason, employers in the relevant industries should provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face covers and respirators, to any affected workers.

Phurnacite Exposure Claims

If you have been diagnosed with a relevant lung disease and your past or present employment was related to phurnacite fuel burning, then contact your GP to find out if they can relate your disease to phurnacite exposure. If it is confirmed that your lung disease is directly associated with phurnacite exposure, then you must take legal advice to pursue an industrial disease compensation claim.  If your disease was caused by your employer’s negligence, you will be entitled to phurnacite compensation.

Using our services will help you in your disease claim. Our expert solicitors have years of experience in dealing with such cases. We make sure our clients receive a fair and transparent service. We will quickly let you know whether or not you are eligible to make a compensation claim. If you think that your employer’s negligence led to phurnacite exposure, then we will make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

We will collect compensation to cover all your pain and suffering, as well as any other costs.  So start your phurnacite claim tody by calling us on 08000 430 430. You can also complete our online enquiry from to request a call back.

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