Hazards With Chronic Exposure Repeated or prolonged skin exposure to phenol or vapors from heated phenol may cause headache, nausea, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, diarrhea, vomiting, shock, convulsions, and death. Phenol affects the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Special Safety Precautions Phenol should be used with adequate ventilation to minimize inhalation. When heating phenol, use a water bath inside a chemical fume hood. WEAR safety glasses or a face shield if splashing may occur.
Skin contact requires immediate washing of the affected area with soap and water.
Remove contaminated clothing and launder before wearing again. When phenol is heated, it can react vigorously with oxidizing agents. Phenol waste should be placed in a properly labeled glass bottle with a securely sealed lid. Spills of undiluted phenol should be considered serious and cleaned up immediately . Small liquid spills of 50 ml or less may be absorbed using paper towels, vermiculite, or other absorbent and placed in a sealed container or double plastic bags.