ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
PHENOL (C6H5OH)
SYNONYMS
Carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, phenic acid, phenylic acid,
phenyl hydrate, monohydroxybenzene.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation or ingestion.
Keep away from heat, sparks or naked flames.
Do not store close to oxidising agents especially aldehydes.
CHARACTERISTICS
Colourless to pinkish, hygroscopic crystalline solid with a
sharp, sweet, tarry odour. Will burn but does not readily
ignite.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Phenol will burn but does not readily ignite. There is a
moderate fire hazard when exposed to heat, oxidisers or
incompatible chemicals. It is a strong eye, skin and mucous
membrane irritant and highly toxic to the central nervous
system. It can also damage the liver and kidneys. It is rapidly
absorbed through the skin and can be fatal if not treated
rapidly. Acute exposure to the eyes by the vapour causes marked
irritation. A splash to the eye may cause severe damage and
blindness. Skin absorption is a primary route of entry for the
liquid, vapour or solid. Direct contact produces erythema and
corrosion. It is rapidly absorbed causing sweating, thirst,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stupor, shock, excitation,
cyanosis, hypotension, collapse, coma, convulsions, haemolysis
and pulmonary oedema. Death is from respiratory failure.
Inhalation and ingestion have the same effects except that
ingestion will also cause severe burns to the mouth and throat.
A 1 gm dose is usually fatal.
TREATMENTS
Skin remove contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash
the affected area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts
of water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). Seek immediate medical advice.
Eyes immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). Seek immediate medical advice.
Inhalation immediately remove from exposure to fresh air. If
breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration. Keep warm and
allow to rest. Get immediate medical attention.
Ingestion if the victim is conscious and not convulsive, give
two to four glasses of water then induce vomiting by touching a
finger to the back of the throat. Then give 1 ounce (30 ml) of
Milk of Magnesia. Get immediate medical attention.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Phenol is incompatible with:
Calcium hypochlorite ignition.
Strong oxidisers violent reactions including fire and
explosion. (e.g. Peroxydisulphuric acid, peroxymonosulphuric
acid, 13 butadiene, borontrifluoride diethyl ether complex,
acetaldehyde, aluminium trichloride and nitrobenzene mixture,
calcium hypochlorite).
Attacks plastics and rubber and some metals.
Reducing agents give off flammable hydrogen gas.
Aldehydes give off hydrogen gas.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat or naked flames.
Do not store close to strong oxidising or reducing agents. Do
not store close to incompatible substances.
HANDLING
Use a fume hood that will keep exposure limits below the
recommended threshold, ie. 5ppm (skin) OSHA and TWA, 20 ppm (Vapour)
NIOSH and TWA. For exposure levels to 50ppm a respirator is
recommended. For exposure above 50ppm a selfcontained breathing
apparatus is recommended. Wear protective clothing to avoid skin
contamination and inhalation of the vapour. A long sleeved
laboratory coat or gown, rubber gloves, safety goggles and a
face mask as a minimum standard.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Rubber gloves, face shield and laboratory coat. Have an all
purpose canister respirator available.
SPILLS:
A gas leak: keep the concentration of the gas below the
explosive mixture range by forced ventilation. Remove the tank
to an open area and allow dissipation to the atmosphere. Attempt
to cap the valve outlet and return the tank to the supplier.
A liquid: absorb on paper. Evaporate in an iron pan in a flame
proof fume hood then burn the paper.
A solid: sweep on to paper and place in an iron pan in a fume
hood. Burn the paper and compound.
PACKAGE LOTS:
A gas leak: pipe the gas into an incinerator or lower into a pit
and allow to burn.
A liquid: atomise into an incinerator. Combustion may be
improved by mixing with a more flammable solvent.
A solid: make up packages in paper or other flammable material.
Burn in the incinerator. Or the solid may be dissolved in a
flammable solvent and sprayed into a fire chamber.
ENVIRONMENT:
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