McLean Hospital
Toxic Agent Use and Exposure Protocol Form
(LABORATORY)
(Formamide) EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL
All research involving the use of agents potentially toxic to humans must be approved by the McLean
Subcommittee on Laboratory Safety. For review and approval, submit one hard copy and one electronic
version (via e-mail) to Elena Chartoff, Ph.D (echartoff@mclean.harvard.edu). Following approval, hard
copy will be returned to Principal Investigator.
Toxic Agent: Phenol
Exposure Risk for proposed usage (high, moderate, low):
McLean Occupational Health:
(617) 855-2438 (available during normal work hours}
(617) 855-2000 (after hours or weekends page M.D. on-call)
McLean Research Administration:
(617) 855-2922
Laboratory Safety Officer:
Elena Chartoff, Ph.D.
(617) 855-2022
______________________________________________
Reviewed and approved by:
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(PI name and degree(s))
Principal Investigator
Date
Elena Chartoff, Ph.D.
Laboratory Safety Officer
Date
Dona Lee Wong, Ph.D.
Chair, Laboratory Safety Subcommittee
Date
Peter Paskevich, M.A.
Senior Vice President, Research
Date
Beth O’Neill, R.N.
Occupational Health Services
Date
Michele Gougeon
Chief Operating Officer
Date
A. General Information
Principle Investigator:
Laboratory:
Co-investigators/technicians
Contact Person:
Project Title:
Extension:
Toxic Agent
Chemical name: Phenol
Other names: Benzenol, carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, monohydroxybenzene, monophenol,
oxybenzene, phenic acid, phenyl alcohol, phenyl hydrate, phenyl hydroxide, phenylic acid
CAS number: 108-95-2
Describe use of chemical and briefly justify use for proposed experiments, compared to less toxic
alternatives:
Phenol is used for the extraction of DNA or RNA (e.g. from lysed tissue samples). Addition of
phenol/chlorofrom can dissolve and denature proteins, like DNase in nucleic acid plasmid preps. This is
especially important if the plasmids are to be used for enzyme digestion. Otherwise, smearing may occur
in enzyme restricted form of plasmid DNA. Phenol is a component of widely used DNA and RNA
preparation kits and solutions.
Other uses:
B. Chemical Properties and Adverse Effects
1. Description of chemical properties:
Review and attach MSDS
Phenol: http://www.ohsworks.com/harvardsdsoncommand/ohsquery.pl
2. Hazard ratings (NFPA Hazard Code, available from MSDS)
HEALTH HAZARD RATING: 4
0 – No hazard
1 – Slightly hazardous
2 – Moderate hazard
3 – Serious hazard
4 – Life threatening
FLAMMABILITY RATING: 2
0 – Will not burn
1 – Combustible, must be pre-heated, >200 °F
2 – Combustible, must be moderately heated, <200°F
3 – Flammable, can be easily ignited, <100°F
4 – Extremely flammable (flash point below 73°F)
REACTIVITY RATING: 0
0 – Stable
1 – Unstable if heated
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2 – Highly reactive
3 – Shock or heat may cause explosion
4 – May detonate
SPECIAL WARNINGS:
OXY – Oxidizing material
ACID - Acid
COR – Corrosive material
RAD – Radioactive material
W – Material is hazardous when in contact with moisture or water
3. Specific health hazards (include references):
Toxicity: Highly Toxic: inhalation
Toxic: dermal absorption, ingestion
10 mg/kg oral-infant LDLo; 14 gm/kg oral-human LDLo; 140 mg/kg oral-human LDLo;
5714 ug/kg unreported-man TDLo
Reproductive Effects: may cause reproductive and fetal effects: 300 mg/kg oral-rat TDLo 6-15
day(s) pregnant female continuous;
DNA Damage: May have mutagenic effets: human HeLa cell 17 mg/L; DNA inhibition - human
HeLa cell 1 mmol/L; other mutation test systems - human lymphocyte 5 umol/L; sister
chromatid exchange - human lymphocyte 5 umol/L;
Tumorigenic Effects: 16 gm/kg skin-mouse TDLo/40 week(s) intermittent; 4000 mg/kg skinmouse TD/24 week(s) intermittent
Environmental Toxicity: Toxic
C. Exposure Risk
1. Specific exposure risk (include routes of exposure, amounts and concentrations toxic to humans):
Eye Contact: Contact with liquor of vapor causes severe burns and possible irreversible eye
Damage
Skin Contact: Causes severe skin irritation. Harmful if absorbed through the skin. Direct skin
contact results in white, wrinkled discoloration, followed by severe burns. Phenol solutions may
be absorbed through the skin rapidly to cause systemic poisoning and possible death.
Inhalation: Causes severe irritation of upper respiratory tract with coughing, burns, breathing
difficulty, and possible coma. May be fatal if exposed to high concentrations. May also cause
pallor, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, darkened urine, headache,
sweating, convulsions, cyanosis, unconsciousness, fatigue, pulmonary edema and coma.
Ingestion: Symptoms may include: headache, excitement, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stupor, and
coma. May cause central nervous system depression, characterized by excitement, followed by
headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Advanced stages may cause collapse,
unconsciousness, coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. Causes digestive tract burns
with immediate pain, swelling of the throat, convulsions, and possible coma.
Injection: No information found.
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Chronic: Chronic inhalation and ingestion may cause effects similar to those of acute inhalation and
ingestion. May cause liver and kidney damage. May cause fetal effects. Repeated skin contact may
cause dermatitis with dark pigmentation of the skin.
2. Precautions against exposure
Personal Protective Equipment:
Lab coat, goggles, and gloves.
How is chemical purchased, i.e solid or liquid? If liquid, stipulate concentration.
Where and how will chemical be stored?
How will the chemical be prepared for use in experiments?
D. Experimental Use and Related Contamination
1. Locations of use:
2. Posting of signage and notification of animal facility manager:
3. Method of administration to and handling of experimental animals:
4. Potential for contamination of animal-related equipment, bedding and waste:
[ ] Cage
[ ] Water Bottle
[ x ] Carcasses
[ ] Bedding
[ ] Other
E. Deactivation and Disposal
1. Method of deactivation:
None
2. Method of disposal:
Collection and hazardous waste disposal.
F. Spill Procedures
1. Small spill procedure:
Secure the area. Notify closest available First Responder On Line (FRol) if help is needed. Follow small
spill protocols as outlined in the Laboratory Safety Manual. Small spills (<200 ml of phenol) can be
absorbed with spill pillows and other materials provided in the chemical spill cabinets (e.g. inert material
like sand). The clean-up person should wear the PPE described above and put contaminated materials in
disposable container. Solid chemical waste materials should be placed in plastic bag and bag sealed. Bag
should be placed into secondary spill pail and pail sealed. Contaminated materials will then be removed
as hazardous chemical waste.
2. Large spill procedure:
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Evacuate and secure the area. Call Emergency x2222. Report name, location of spill, phone extension,
name of chemical, approximate quantity. Wait for help and assist security if needed.
G. Exposure and Follow-up
1. Prophylaxis and medical interventions (address all potential routes of exposure):
Eyes: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the
upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid immediately.
Skin: Get medical aid immediately. Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15
minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Discard contaminated clothing in a manner
which limits further exposure. Speedy action is critical. Destroy contaminated shoes.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or
water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical aid immediately.
Inhalation: Get medical aid immediately. Remove from exposure and move to fresh air
immediately. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
2. Exposure follow-up:
Exposed individuals should be taken to Employee Occupational Health, incident report filed. Other
actions should be taken as recommended in the Laboratory Safety Manual.
H. Personnel Qualifications and Training
1. Procedure for training of personnel:
2. List of personnel applying for approval (Attach curriculum vitae for each individual). Training
and certification of user is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator. New personnel can only
be added by addendum to this protocol, followed by review and approval. Training and
certification must occur annually.
The undersigned accepts responsibility for compliance with the procedures outlined in this protocol
and that all personnel involved with the experiments using this substance will receive adequate
supervision.
Principal Investigator: _________________________ Date: _______________
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CERTIFICATION OF APPROVED USERS FOR (Phenol)
Laboratory of (PI name)
The following individuals have been trained in and approved for the use of Phenol.
Training/retraining certification will be renewed annually. Training is by Principal Investigator or
designee. All new users must undergo training prior to use of the specified chemical for research.
Name
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Signature
Date