Phenol can be corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract; concentrated solutions have the potential to cause severe burns of the skin and mucus membranes. It is readily and highly absorbed through skin and exposure to concentrated amounts can be harmful to the liver, kidneys and the central nervous system. The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration has calculated the extent of absorption through the skin that could cause adverse effects for phenol, and other chemicals.
If high levels of phenol comes into contact with the skin, Princeton University’s Environmental Health and Safety Office recommends immediately flushing the skin with large amounts of water. The American Chemistry Council’s Phenol Panel also sponsored two studies addressing treatment for skin contact with phenol:
Consumers may be exposed to phenol if they live near landfills, hazardous wastes sites that contain phenol, or facilities that manufacture it. Following small, single releases, phenol is rapidly removed from the air.
In the home, consumers may be exposed to very low levels of phenol found in products like mouthwash and throat lozenges. According to the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the dose, duration and how a person comes into contact with phenol can determine whether or not it may have an adverse impact.