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Toxicokinetics and Biomarkers/Environmental Sources of Exposure Normal Human Levels Levels TM ToxGuide

General Populations Toxicokinetics Biomarkers . Exposure may occur by inhalation of low . Phenol is well absorbed by the inhalation, . No studies were located regarding levels for levels in air or ingestion of low levels in oral, and dermal routes of exposure. of phenol or its metabolites in human water. These levels may be higher for Phenol in air also is well-absorbed tissues and fluids associated with effects. people living near hazardous waste sites. through the skin. . Phenol and phenol metabolites are not . Exposure will occur by using consumer . Once absorbed, phenol is widely specific biomarkers of exposure to Phenol products that contain phenol such as distributed throughout the body and the phenol.

throat lozenges, mouthwashes, antiseptic liver and kidneys generally have the lotions, and toilet and floor disinfectants greatest amount of phenol-derived and cleaners. products. Environmental Levels C6H6O Air . Exposure can occur by ingestion of . In mammals, phenol undergoes direct minute amounts present in certain foods. sulfation and glucuronidation, and phenol . Median concentration of 0.03 ppb in CAS# 108-95-2 7 samples from urban/suburban U.S. air; September 2011 . Phenol is utilized in some medical that is not directly conjugated can be the substrate of oxidative metabolism, data from 1982. More recent data are not procedures to remove skin lesions or in available. injections to alleviate chronic pain. principally by cytochrome P4502E1. The metabolism of phenol is saturable. Sediment and Soil U.S. Department of Health and . Smoke from cigarettes is a source of Human Services . Data in humans and laboratory animals . Range from 0.07 to 0.7 mg/kg in a small phenol for smokers and for those who Public Health Service inhale second hand smoke. indicate that phenol is rapidly eliminated, percentage of U.S. sediment samples; primarily in the urine as sulfate and data from 2006. Agency for Toxic Substances

glucuronide; phenol does not accumulate Water and Disease Registry Occupational Populations in the body. www.atsdr.cdc.gov . Up to 1 ppb in unpolluted groundwater . Exposure can occur during the and 0.01–1 ppb in unpolluted rivers; data manufacture of phenol or of consumer Contact Information: Normal Human Levels from 1985. Division of Toxicology products that contain phenol. . Usually <10 mg/L in urine of persons . Range of 2–56 ppb in waterways in and Environmental Medicine not exposed to phenol or benzene. Chicago, IL; data from 2006. Applied Toxicology Branch

1600 Clifton Road NE, F-62 Reference Atlanta, GA 30333 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 1-800-CDC-INFO Registry (ATSDR). 2008. Toxicological 1-800-232-4636 Profile for Phenol. Atlanta, GA: U.S. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/index.asp Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services.

Chemical and Physical Information Routes of Exposure Relevance to Public Health (Health Effects)

Phenol is a Solid . Inhalation – Important route of exposure Health effects are determined Health Effects for those living near coal and petroleum . Phenol is a colorless-to-white solid when by the dose (how much), the . Phenol is an irritating and corrosive fueled facilities and municipal waste pure; the commercial product is liquid. duration (how long), and the substance by all routes of exposure. incinerators. Significant exposure route . Phenol has a sickeningly sweet and tarry for workers that manufacture phenol. route of exposure. . High concentrations of phenol in the odor. air cause respiratory irritation. . Oral – Use of medicinal products such as . Phenol is flammable. throat lozenges and mouthwashes. Also, Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) . Ingestion of high concentrations of . Phenol is moderately soluble in water; it predominant route of exposure at or near Inhalation phenol can produce internal burns. evaporates slower than water. waste sites via ingestion of contaminated . Application of phenol to the skin can water. . No acute-, intermediate- or chronic- . Phenol is primarily used in the duration inhalation MRLs were derived cause dermal inflammation and production of phenolic resins and in the . Dermal – Use of ointments and cleaners for phenol. necrosis. containing phenol. Also, bathing or manufacture of nylon and other synthetic Oral . Ingestion of high amounts of phenol or fibers. showering with water contaminated with application of high amounts on the skin phenol. Significant exposure route for . An MRL of 1 mg/kg/day has been derived . Phenol is also used as a general can cause cardiac arrhythmias and may workers in contact with phenol vapors or for acute-duration oral exposure produce tremors and seizures. disinfectant and antiseptic in various liquid phenol. (≤14 days). products, including toilet and floor . Based on inadequate evidence from disinfectants and medicinal preparations . No intermediate- or chronic-duration oral studies in humans and animals, the such as mouthwashes, sore throat Phenol in the Environment MRLs were derived for phenol. EPA considers phenol not classifiable

lozenges and sprays, and antiseptic . Phenol enters the air, water, and soil as a as to human carcinogenicity.

lotions. result of its manufacture and use. . Phenol has a short half-life in air, less Children’s Health than 1 day. In air, it reacts with . Vomiting and lethargy are common photochemically-produced hydroxyl signs of toxicity observed in children radicals. that ingest products containing phenol . Phenol generally remains in soil only and are treated at poison control about 2–5 days. In soil, phenol centers. biodegrades under both aerobic and . It is not known whether children are anaerobic conditions. more susceptible to phenol poisoning . Phenol is rapidly degraded in water, but it than adults. can remain in water for a week or more if present in high concentrations. . Phenol does not accumulate in fish, other animals, or in plants.