Phenol

Synonyms & Trade Names

Carbolic acid, Hydroxybenzene, Monohydroxybenzene, Phenyl alcohol, Phenyl hydroxide

Physical Description

Colorless to light-pink, crystalline solid with a sweet, acrid odor. [Note: Phenol liquefies by mixing with about 8% water.]

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Strong oxidizers, calcium hypochlorite, aluminum chloride, acids

Symptoms

irritation eyes, nose, throat; anorexia, weight loss; lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), muscle ache, pain; dark urine; cyanosis; liver, kidney damage; skin burns; dermatitis; ochronosis; tremor, convulsions, twitching

Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH/OSHA

Up to 50 ppm:
(APF = 10) Any air-purifying half-mask respirator with organic vapor cartridge(s) in combination with an N95, R95, or P95 filter. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator

Up to 125 ppm:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with an organic vapor cartridge in combination with a high-efficiency particulate filter.

Up to 250 ppm:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying full-facepiece respirator equipped with organic vapor cartridge(s) in combination with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister having an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and organic vapor cartridge(s) in combination with a high-efficiency particulate filter
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister having an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection