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. 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.