Phenol

This page outlines the information you need if you're working with phenol in a lab or research setting.

What is phenol?

Phenol is a highly toxic, corrosive and potentially mutagenic compound. It can come in solid, liquid or vapour form, and can penetrate the skin quickly.

It’s currently listed as a Schedule 6 poison.

Classification	Pictograms
Acute toxicity, Oral (Category 3), H301 Acute toxicity, Inhalation (Category 3), H331 Acute toxicity, Dermal (Category 3), H311
Skin corrosion/irritation (Category 1), H314
Serious eye damage/eye irritation (Category 1), H318	–
Germ cell mutagenicity (Category 2), H341	–
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure (Category 2), Nervous system, Kidney, Liver, Skin, H373
Long-term (chronic) aquatic hazard (Category 2), H411

Health risks

Exposure to phenol can be dangerous and even fatal. Health risks include:

• Skin contact: Phenol causes severe burns and can be absorbed into the bloodstream quickly (which could be fatal). It may feel painless at first due to its numbing effect, and skin may whiten, soften or tingle.
• Eye contact: Phenol can cause serious eye damage and potential blindness.
• Ingestion: Ingestion can lead to vomiting, nausea, coma or death.
• Inhalation: Inhalation irritates the respiratory system and may be fatal in high concentrations.

Risk management

Before working with phenol you must:

• complete a risk assessment and develop safe work instructions
• take part in local training.

All hazards and incidents associated with phenol must be reported to HSW.

First aid

If someone is exposed to phenol, begin first aid immediately and call both:

• 000 for ambulance
• 333 for Monash Security.

Keep providing first aid until medical help arrives. Anyone providing first aid must wear appropriate PPE to avoid secondary exposure.

Need help?

For more information, contact the Health, Safety & Wellbeing team at hsw@monash.edu.

Procedures and resources

• Using Chemicals Procedure
• Risk Management Guidelines: Chemical.