Toxic and even fatal amounts of phenol can be absorbed through relatively small areas of skin. Due to its local anesthetizing properties, skin burns may be painless. Phenol may be fatal if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Care should be exercised not to walk in spills since phenol can penetrate leather. Emergency Procedures People administering first aid should take precautions to avoid contact with phenol.
Phenol can penetrate leather on shoes or clothing.
Acute overexposure by any route may lead to nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness and coma. Whitening of the skin usually occurs, with deeper burns developing later. In case of skin contact, immediately flush skin with large amounts of water while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Flush skin with water for at least 30 minutes. It is very important to avoid rubbing or wiping affected parts which would aggravate irritation and cause product dispersion.