PHENOL, SOLID

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
2 4 0	Health	4	Can be lethal.
	Flammability	2	Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special

A solid melting at 110°F. Colorless if pure, otherwise pink or red. Flash point 175°F. Density 9.9 lb / gal. Vapors are heavier than air Corrosive to the skin (turning skin white) but because of its anesthetic quality numbs rather than burn. Lethal amounts can be absorbed through the skin. Used to make plastics and adhesives.

none

Decomposes slowly in air. Mixtures of 9-10% phenol in air are explosive. Soluble in water

Flammable vapors when heated. Runoff from fire control water may give off poisonous gases and cause pollution. Mixtures of 9-10% phenol in air are explosive. Avoid aluminum chloride/nitrobenzene mixture, peroxodisulfuric acid, peroxomonosulfuric acid and strong oxidizing agents. Decomposes slowly on air contact. Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents. (EPA, 1998)

Toxic hazard rating is very toxic: probable oral lethal dose (human) is 50-500 mg/kg. Ingestion of 1 gram has been lethal to humans. Lethal amounts may be absorbed through skin or inhaled. Industrial contact can cause chronic poisoning with kidney and liver damage. Persons affected with hepatic or kidney diseases are at a greater risk. (EPA, 1998)

PHENOL is a weak acid. Reacts exothermically with bases. Reacts with strong oxidizing agents. Emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes when heated to decomposition. Undergoes, in the presence of aluminum chloride, potentially explosive reactions with nitromethane, butadiene, formaldehyde, peroxodisulfuric acid, peroxosulfuric acid, and sodium nitrite. Reacts violently with sodium nitrate in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 770]. May corrode lead, aluminum and its alloys, certain plastics, and rubber. Phenol may explode in contact with peroxodisulfuric acid (D'Ans, J. Ber., 1910, 43, 1880; Z. Anorg. Chem., 1911, 73, 1911.) or peroxomonosulfuric acid. (Sidgwick, 1950, 939)

• Phenols and Cresols

No information available.

Excerpt from 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Move container from fire area if it can be done without risk; fight fire from maximum distance; dike fire control water for later disposal, do not scatter the material. Small fires: dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or foam (alcohol); large fires: water spray, fog or foam; use water spray to cool containers in fire area. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Phenol:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Phenol (45°C, molten)	108-95-2	Liquid			44	17	25	25	101	>480	>480
Phenol (60°C, molten)	108-95-2	Liquid			imm	imm	imm		121	125	87
Phenol (85% at 45°C)	108-95-2	Liquid							149	>480	>480
Phenol (85%)	108-95-2	Liquid		11	>480	341	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Phenol Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to phenol may be severe, and range from tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and tachypnea (rapid respiratory rate) to hypotension (low blood pressure), weak pulse, cardiac failure, pulmonary edema, and respiratory arrest. Cardiac arrhythmias may be noted. Weakness, headache, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), delirium, and shock are common. Seizures may often be followed by coma. Pallor, profuse sweating, dilated pupils, and a profound drop in body temperature may occur. Gastrointestinal effects may include nausea, abdominal pain, bloody vomitus, and bloody diarrhea. Renal insufficiency may lead to hematuria (bloody urine). Liver damage may also occur. Phenol is corrosive to the skin and mucous membranes. Contact may result in severe and painful burns, which promptly become anesthetized (numb) to touch and pain. Ulceration may follow.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to phenol may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to phenol.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to phenol.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Remove phenol from skin with undiluted polyethylene glycol 300 or 400, if available. If not available, use water. Follow polyethylene glycol wash with a water wash.
6. Wash exposed skin areas for at least 15 minutes with large amounts of water.
7. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
8. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Immediately give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
4. If a dilute (5% or less) solution has been ingested, vomiting may be induced with syrup of Ipecac. DO NOT induce vomiting if concentration is greater than 5% or unknown. If elapsed time since ingestion of phenol is unknown or suspected to be greater than 30 minutes, do not induce vomiting and proceed to Step
5. Ipecac should not be administered to children under 6 months of age.Warning: Ingestion of phenol may result in sudden onset of seizures or loss of consciousness. Syrup of Ipecac should be administered only if victims are alert, have an active gag-reflex, and show no signs of impending seizure or coma. If ANY uncertainty exists, proceed to Step
5.The following dosages of Ipecac are recommended: children up to 1 year old, 10 mL (1/3 oz); children 1 to 12 years old, 15 mL (1/2 oz); adults, 30 mL (1 oz). Ambulate (walk) the victims and give large quantities of water. If vomiting has not occurred after 15 minutes, Ipecac may be readministered. Continue to ambulate and give water to the victims. If vomiting has not occurred within 15 minutes after second administration of Ipecac, administer activated charcoal.
5. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
6. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
7. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• BENZENOL
• CARBOLIC ACID
• HYDROXYBENZENE
• IZAL
• MONOHYDROXYBENZENE
• MONOPHENOL
• NCI-C50124
• OXYBENZENE
• PHENIC ACID
• PHENOL
• PHENOL (CARBOLIC ACID)
• PHENOL, SOLID
• PHENOL, [SOLID]
• PHENYL ALCOHOL
• PHENYL HYDRATE
• PHENYL HYDROXIDE
• PHENYLIC ACID
• PHENYLIC ALCOHOL