It is irritating to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, but has a local anesthetic effect, so that no pain may be felt on initial contact. Normally, skin contact will result in whitening of the skin, which may later develop into severe burns. Phenol is also rapidly absorbed through the skin, and toxic or even fatal amounts can be absorbed through relatively small areas. Exposure to phenol vapor from any route may cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness and coma. Eye exposure may lead to blindness.
Phenol is also flammable.
In the event of a spill, control sources of ignition before cleaning up the spill using loose absorbents or spill pillows.