Phenol (carbolic acid or hydroxybenzene)鈥�

A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound, C6H5OH, derived from benzene and used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as a disinfectant and antiseptic.

Why this substance is hazardous

Phenol is extremely听poisonous听and听corrosive. It can be absorbed across intact skin. As it initially may have听anaesthetic effects, the phenol may cause extensive tissue damage before the casualty feels any pain.听Deaths have been reported for exposures of 25% or more of body surface area鈥�
Acute exposure can damage the eyes and cause听blindness, severe听burns听or systemic听poisoning听through skin听contact鈥�
Chronic exposure can cause听sensitization听and affect the central nervous system, liver and kidneys

鲍蝉别蝉鈥�

Phenol and its chemical derivatives are essential for the production of polycarbonates, epoxides, nylon,听detergents, herbicides such as听phenoxy听herbicides, and numerous pharmaceutical drugs.鈥�

Recommended control measures鈥�

Phenols are controlled substances (Poisons UCL ref either PA012 or PA039)听鈥� see information on standards for all听肠辞苍迟谤辞濒濒别诲听肠丑别尘颈肠补濒蝉.

Minimise the risk of exposure

Never heat or melt phenol in dry heat, an incubator, microwave, drying oven or听similar appliance, only use a water or oil bath
Always ensure听there is adequate ventilation, vapour does not form readily at room temperature but only heat in听a fume cupboard鈥�
鈥婼torage.听Do not store with, acids, strong oxidisers, calcium hypochlorite or aluminium chloride. Waste听should be stored in a correctly labelled glass container鈥�
鈥婸PE.听Wear neoprene gloves, depending on the task consider double gloving. Wear a chemical-resistant听apron over lab coats and goggles rather than glasses if there is splash risk鈥�

鈥婩irst Aid

Small exposure -听remove and double bag contaminated clothing, wipe exposed skin with polyethylene glycol听(molar mass 300) commonly called Polyethylene Glycol 300 or听Macrogol听300 until the phenol can no longer be smelt (a听distinct, sweet acrid odour detectable to humans below the WEL).听鈥�
If polyethylene glycol is not available water can be used but it must irrigate the area (running water if听possible) for at least 20 minutes.听50/50 Polyethylene Glycol/Isopropyl Alcohol (PEG/IPA)
鈥婰arge exposure -听treat as small exposure but consider the logistics of treatment, it may be more effective to听place IP in an emergency shower than to wipe the skin with polyethylene glycol.鈥�

鈥婩or any exposure seek medical advice as soon as possible.鈥�