Phenol-Bebelaar McCann

Phenol

Phenol is a manufactured and natural substance. Phenol is typically sold as a liquid. Phenol evaporates slower than water and is able to catch fire. Phenol is used primarily in the manufacturing nylon and other synthetic fibres.
Phenol is usually in the form of colourless or
white crystals. ("Phenol", 2011)




The Formula for Phenol is C 6 H 6 O.



Picture from: http://www.3dchem.com/imagesofmolecules/Phenol.jpg




Common Uses of Phenol

adhesives, paint, rubber, ink, dyes, perfumes, plastics, fertilizers




Phenol may also be found...

in rain, surface water and ground water. (Bull, 2007)

DANGERS

Breathing in phenol for a short time can cause irritation to the respiratory tract, headaches and burning eyes. Long term exposure to high concentrations can cause weakness, muscle
pain, anorexia, weight loss and also effects on the heart.
If the skin comes into contact with significant amounts of phenol people may get liver
damage, diarrhoea, dark urine, damage to the red blood cells, and in severe cases death
may occur. (Bull, 2007)Precautions


The average person will not come in enough contact with phenol to have serious health affects. Phenol has no evidence that it causes cancer, and is only ingested in small amounts.

http://wtt-lite.nist.gov/images/108952.gif




Physical Properties

-boiling point 182 degrees celcius

-density 1.07g/cm3

-solid

-colourless or white when pure

-strong sweet odour

Chemical Properties


-will react with bromine in water, and nitric acid


-flammable (can catch on fire)


-cannot decompose



Treatments
There is no complete treatment for phenol, but there are small treatments that can help. People who have been majorly exposed are usually hospitalized. If phenol gets into your eyes, the doctor may put a special dye in your eyes and examine them with a magnifying device. If you swallow phenol, you would be given a solution made up of charcoal, which will soak up phenol in your stomach.




















g.http://101healthsteps.com/2008/12/15/danger-phenol/

In my opinion, i do not think phenol should be used so commonly in household products such as sanitizers, cleaning, medical and cosmetic products. There are more cons than pros in using the very dangerous chemical, phenol. It is a manmade chemical for the most part and so it is not a natural element and it can kill people or have a very harmful affect on their skin or lungs. When inhaled or swallowed the phenol burns the lining of the mouth, throat, and lungs. Phenol causes burns when exposed to bare skin, and can leave nasty scars. It isn't a necessity when it comes to using it in tasks such as cleaning, medicating and makeup, there are always other perhaps safer substances that can be used instead of this deadly chemical. When Phenol is released into the air or exposed on the ground, it doesn't go away easily. It soaks in and can take affect on people and things who come in contact very easily. Therefore the chemical is more dangerous than useful and should not be used so often and so easily when it can do so much damage.

http://youtu.be/Q4ULriq4leE







Sources:

http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947317663




http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=27






Bull, S. (2007). Phenol general information. 2. Retrieved from http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947317663 doi: CHAPDHQ HPA







Phenol. (2011, April 08). Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=27




Dangers of Phenol. (2011, May 27)
http://www.hedgehogworld.com/content.php?169-Dangers-of-Phenol


Phenol Exposure & Treatment (Unknown publishing date)
http://www.akochealth.com/tertiary/phenol.html