Science Corner

This file provides information for persons who may have been exposed to phenol liquid or vapor. Information has been excerpted from the ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines for Acute Chemical Exposures.

What is phenol?

Phenol may be found as a translucent, clear or light-pink crystalline mass; a white powder;, or a clear liquid. It has a sweet, sharp odor. Phenol is used in many commercially available products including plastics, resins, fertilizers, paints, photographic developers, and some medicines.

What immediate health effects may result from exposure to phenol?

Poisoning can occur when phenol gets on the skin or in the eyes, when it is inhaled, and when it is swallowed. Skin and eyes can be mildly or severely burned, depending on how much and how long the phenol was contacted. Breathing phenol vapors can bum the lining of the nose, throat, and lungs,just like it bums the skin. Severe injury to the lungs can cause them to fill with fluid, making breathing difficult. Swallowing phenol bums the lining of the digestive tract and can result in internal bleeding. Phenol is absorbed easily into the body through the skin, lungs, and stomach. The brain is very sensitive to phenol. Phenol can cause seizures and coma and may interfere with the brain's control of normal heart beat and regular breathing patterns. It can cause dangerous rhythm changes in the heart.

What is the treatment for phenol poisoning?

There is no antidote for phenol poisoning, but its effects can be treated and most exposed persons do get well. Persons who have had a serious exposure may need to be hospitalized for 24 hours.

Are any future health effects likely to occur?

After a single, small exposure, no delayed or long-term effects are likely to occur. After a severe exposure, you may not notice any symptoms for up to 24 hours. The reverse side of this page lists some signs and symptoms to watch for--if any of them occur, seek medical care.

What tests can be done if a person has been exposed to phenol?

Depending on the severity of symptoms, the doctor may order blood tests, urine tests, chest X ray, and a heart monitoring test. These tests may show if damage has been done to the heart, kidneys, lungs, or nervous system. Abnormally high amounts of phenol may be found in the urine if exposure was severe. Testing is not needed in every case. If phenol got in your eyes, the doctor may have put an orange dye in your eyes and examined them with a magnifying lamp. If you swallowed phenol, you may have been given a solution containing charcoal, which will soak up phenol in your stomach.

Where can more information about phenol be found?

More information about phenol may be obtained from your regional poison control center, your state, county, or local health department; the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR); your doctor; or a clinic in your area that specializes in occupational and environmental health. If the exposure happened at work, you may wish to contact your employer, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

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