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Name: Phenol
Chemical Formula: C6H5OH
Other Names: Carbolic acid, Hydroxybenzene
Appearance: Colorless to pale pink solid or crystal, sometimes deliquescent under humid conditions
Smell: Sweet and biting, strong medicinal odor
Uses: Disinfectants, antiseptics, resins, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and lab reagent
Physical Hazards: Flammable solid, potential for explosive mixtures with air
Health Hazards: Corrosive to skin, can cause severe burns and blisters; toxic if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed; may lead to organ damage with prolonged or repeated exposure
Environmental Hazards: Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects; can move through soil and impact groundwater
Routes of Exposure: Absorbs quickly through skin, vapor can irritate lungs and eyes, accidental swallowing can be fatal
Main Component: Phenol (99% or greater in pure form)
Common Impurities: Trace amounts of water, other phenolic compounds, possibly residual solvents depending on production method
Inhalation: Move to fresh air; deep breaths and medical attention for any breathing difficulty
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing right away; rinse area thoroughly with water, ideally for at least 15 minutes; polyethylene glycol or glycerol can help remove phenol from skin
Eye Contact: Rinse carefully with running water, keep eyelids open, continue flushing and get to medical care fast
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth and get emergency help immediately
Symptoms to Watch: Redness, pain, brown discoloration, numbness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, confusion
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water mist, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical extinguisher
Hazardous Combustion Products: Releases acrid smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, possibly phenolic vapors
Firefighter Precautions: Use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear due to toxic fumes; cool containers with water if exposed to heat
Personal Precautions: Wear protective gloves, goggles, and aprons; use respirators if working in confined space or if vapor concentrations rise
Containment: Block off area, prevent phenol from reaching drains or spreading into soil
Cleanup: Relaxation doesn’t help here—use a spill kit, absorb with dry sand or vermiculite, place in closed container for later disposal; wash area well after cleanup
Safe Handling: Keep containers tightly closed; always use in well-ventilated spaces; avoid breathing vapors or touching skin
Storage Requirements: Store away from heat, open flames, oxidizing agents, and materials that react with acids; stable at room temperature when kept dry and sealed
Other Tips: Only trained people should handle this compound
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods, exhaust ventilation, closed-process systems if possible
Protective Equipment: Heavy rubber gloves, chemical splash goggles, face shield, chemical-resistant clothing; for high exposure, positive-pressure respirator
Work Practices: No eating or drinking near phenol; always wash hands before breaks; check air quality if working in lab settings
Molecular Weight: 94.11 g/mol
Melting Point: Around 40°C (104°F); readily melts at body temperature
Boiling Point: About 182°C (360°F)
Density: 1.07 g/cm3
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohol, ether
Vapor Pressure: Slight at room temperature
Odor Threshold: Pungent even at low concentrations
pH: Acidic in solution
Chemical Stability: Stays stable under ordinary room conditions if kept away from moisture
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts strongly with oxidizers and alkali metals; can form toxic vapors under fire
Decomposition Risks: Yields carbon oxides, phenolic byproducts when heated or burned; avoid strong bases, acids, or reducing agents in storage area
Acute Effects: Skin burns, severe eye damage, respiratory tract irritation, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion
Chronic Effects: Liver and kidney injury, nervous system impacts with long or repeated exposures; potential for systemic poisoning
Absorption Effects: Rapid skin absorption can cause systemic toxicity even from small spills
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a proven carcinogen but frequent or careless use increases risks
Persistence: Does not easily degrade in soil or water
Bioaccumulation: Not likely to build up in organisms, but toxic to aquatic life
Mobility: Moves easily through soil and water, contaminating waterways
Ecotoxic Effects: Causes fish kills and long-term harm to aquatic microorganisms if disposed down the drain
Disposal Methods: Hazardous chemical waste collection is required; never pour down the sink or drain
Precautions: Treat spills and wastes as flammable and corrosive; keep separate from regular trash
Environmental Caution: Prevent any leaching into soil or local water supplies
UN Number: UN1671 for pure phenol solid
Classification: Dangerous Goods; toxic, corrosive
Packing Considerations: Secure, leakproof containers only; label clearly; keep away from incompatible items during transit
Hazard Labels: Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable
Occupational Limits: Most countries restrict workplace airborne levels to about 5 ppm over eight hours
Reporting: Use and storage above specified limits generally require reporting to environmental and safety authorities
Labelling: Mark containers with hazard pictograms, warnings, and precaution statements in line with GHS classification
Restrictions: Strict controls apply for schools, laboratories, and manufacturing sites—most regions require permits for substantial quantities
