Phenol Toxicity

Excerpt

Phenol is a disinfectant and chemical precursor with various uses and indications. Joseph Lister introduced the concept of antiseptic surgery using phenol, then known as carbolic acid. Reports of toxicity were not far behind. Phenol remained a healthcare disinfectant throughout the 20th century, but its use in healthcare settings is now uncommon. Phenol has a long history in dermatology as a chemical peel and skin rejuvenator, but laser treatments have recently surpassed it. Podiatrists use phenol for nailbed matrix ablation following ingrown toenail removal. Phenol is still occasionally a component in some household disinfectants, gargles, and ointments. Phenol-containing solutions are also home remedies for head lice. Methylated phenols, called cresols, are also found in home disinfectant products and may produce clinical toxicity similar to phenol. Phenol is a common laboratory chemical that extracts nucleic acid material from biological specimens. It also serves as a chemical precursor to many pharmaceuticals and chemicals, including acetaminophen, aspirin, levodopa, propofol, and some herbicides.