Kaka’ako EHSO – Phenol SOP Template
Created: March, 2008 – Updated: June 14, 2013
Page 1 of 5
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE TEMPLATE
PHENOL
Principal Investigator:
Lab Location(s):
Emergency Contact
Information:
Annual Review Date:
This SOP template has been developed for the following:
• Work with Phenol
• Work with Commercial Products such as Trizol ®, which contain phenol
• Work with mixtures containing phenol, such as mixtures of Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl Alcohol
Before working with Phenol or Phenol containing reagents/mixtures, you must have:
• the approval from the PI;
• received specific training from the PI (or his/her designate) according to this SOP and in
understanding the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by the manufacturer, (attach to this SOP);
• completed UH lab safety training and Kaka’ako hazardous waste generator training;
• signed this SOP as documentation that you understand the hazards and have been trained in how to
work with Phenol safely.
Statement of Understanding and Compliance
I confirm that I have read and understand this SOP and will comply with the procedures and policies.
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Kaka’ako EHSO – Phenol SOP Template
Created: March, 2008 – Updated: June 14, 2013
Page 2 of 5
1. INFORMATION ABOUT PHENOL
CAS#108-95-2
Synonym: Carbolic Acid
Commercial Products containing phenol include Trizol, Qiazol.
Phenol has a characteristic sweet, medicinal odor. Most people are able to detect the odor at levels well
below the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 5 ppm (19 mg/m 3) time weighted average of 8 hours.
Phenol is a common chemical used in lab techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction. (Revise this to
include the specific techniques or processes in which your lab uses phenol, phenol containing commercial
reagents, or mixtures containing phenol.)
Phenol is a corrosive and toxic chemical. Phenol can cause severe burns to the skin and mucous
membranes, but because it has a local anesthetic effect, no pain may be felt upon initial contact. Phenol
is rapidly absorbed through the skin, so toxic amounts may be absorbed through relatively small areas.
2. ROUTES OF EXPOSURE, SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE
The primary route of exposure is skin contact and absorption. Phenol can also enter the system by
inhalation and ingestion.
Skin Contact: Toxic if absorbed through the skin. Causes skin burns.
Eye Contact: Causes eye burns and may cause permanent damage and even blindness.
Ingestion: Toxic if swallowed.
Inhalation: At room temperature, phenol does not generally pose a serious inhalation hazard. Phenol has
a distinct odor that most people can recognize at levels well below the OSHA PEL (so there should be
adequate warning when hazardous concentrations exist). That said inhalation of significant amounts can
be toxic.
Acute Effects:
Acute phenol intoxication causes shock, collapse, coma, convulsions, cyanosis, and death. Ingestion of
lethal amounts causes severe burns of the mouth and throat, marked abdominal pain, cyanosis, muscular
weakness, collapse, coma, and death. Tremors, convulsions, and muscle twitching have also occurred.
Contact of the skin with the solid or liquid can produce chemical burns, redness, edema, tissue necrosis,
and gangrene; contact with the eye may result in irritation, conjunctival swelling, whitened cornea, and
blindness.
Chronic Effects:
Chronic phenol poisoning is characterized by vomiting, difficult swallowing, excessive salivation, diarrhea,
anorexia, headache, fainting, vertigo, mental disturbances, and possibly skin eruptions. Prolonged
cutaneous exposure may result in deposition of dark pigment in the skin.
Cancer Hazard:
Not considered to be carcinogenic.
Reproductive Hazard:
May cause reproductive and fetal effects.
Exposure Limits:
The current OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for phenol is 5 ppm (19 mg/m3) as an 8-hour timeweighted average (TWA) concentration. The OSHA PEL also bears a “Skin” notation, which indicates
Kaka’ako EHSO – Phenol SOP Template
Created: March, 2008 – Updated: June 14, 2013
Page 3 of 5
that the cutaneous route of exposure (including mucous membranes and eyes) contribute to the overall
exposure.
A worker’s exposure to phenol can be determined by analyzing a urine sample taken at the end of the
shift for total phenol. A 250 mg total phenol per gram creatinine level corresponds to an airborne phenol
exposure at the TLV (5 ppm). Dermal absorption of phenol may contribute to urinary levels found.
3. EXPOSURE CONTROL
Administrative Controls:
 Never work alone when working with phenol or any other hazardous chemical.
 Read the safety data sheet provided by the manufacturer and the SOP specific to your use of
phenol.
 Ask any questions or express any concerns before beginning work with phenol.
Engineering Controls:
 Phenol must be used in a chemical fume hood. Even when working with dilute amounts of
phenol, you should work in a chemical fume hood.
 Ensure the sash is at the lowest possible height as it can provide splash protection. For
horizontal sashes, when possible, arrange the sashes so that your body is protected.
 Work at least 6” inside the sash face.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
 Eye/Face Protection: chemical splash goggles. Even when working with dilute amounts, you
should use chemical splash goggles and a face shield may be warranted, especially if you are not
working in a fume hood. Safety glasses are not recommended when working with liquid
hazardous chemicals.
 Hand Protection: A risk assessment, weighing concentration, quantity, processes, will determine
the appropriate type of glove to use. Generally, nitrile and latex gloves are not recommended.
Contact Kaka’ako EHSO for assistance in the risk assessment and selection of the type of glove
you will require in your SOP.
 Skin Protection: Laboratory coat (preferably closed front to cover the chest area), long pants,
closed toe shoes, must be worn at a minimum. If body splash potential exists, wear a rubber or
neoprene apron.
Work Practice Controls:
 Always use appropriate gloves when handling phenol, even when handling closed containers of
phenol.
 Wash hands immediately after removing gloves.
 Cover work surfaces with plastic backed bench top liners.
 Always take every necessary precaution to prevent contamination of non-disposable surfaces. If
there is contamination to a surface such as the exterior of a container, the benchtop, etc., notify
EHSO and your fellow lab members.
4. STORAGE REQUIREMENTS





Keep container tightly closed.
Store away from strong oxidizers, heat.
Store below eye level so damaged or leaking containers are immediately visible.
Highly recommended that containers of concentrated phenol are stored in secondary containment.
Transport chemicals in closed containers, in the smallest amounts possible, and use aids such as
carts, chemical transport carriers, etc.
5. EXPOSURE RESPONSE & FIRST AID
Kaka’ako EHSO – Phenol SOP Template
Created: March, 2008 – Updated: June 14, 2013
Page 4 of 5
Before you handle phenol (even a closed container of phenol), you should be prepared to respond
to an exposure. If you are unsure of what you would do, do not handle phenol and discuss your
questions or concerns with your supervisor or EHSO.
Emergency Shower and Eyewash shall be accessible within 10 seconds and unobstructed.
Skin Contact:
 Immediate actions must be taken.
 Anyone assisting the victim should wear PPE.
For small exposures:
 Remove contaminated clothing and shoes.
 Treat the exposed areas with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or isopropyl alcohol. Irrigate,
wipe, or dab the areas (gauze pads), depending on the amount of exposure. Continue
until you can no longer smell phenol.
 If PEG is not available or you run out of PEG, drench the victim with water under the
safety shower. Remain under the shower for at least 15 minutes.
 Seek emergency medical attention immediately.
For large exposures:
 Remove contaminated clothing and shoes.
 Stay under the emergency shower for at least 15 minutes.
 Apply PEG after initial decontamination using the shower. Otherwise remain under the
shower until emergency responders arrive.
 Call security immediately to report a medical emergency (security will call 911).
Eye contact: immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes (lifting upper
and lower eyelids occasionally). Seek emergency medical attention immediately. SPEED is critical.
Inhalation: move to fresh air and seek medical attention immediately.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. If victim is alert and able to swallow, give 2-4 cups of milk or water.
Seek emergency medical attention immediately.
A phenol exposure response kit must be immediately available to anyone working with phenol.
The phenol exposure response kit should include the following, at a minimum:
□ Neoprene gloves (Safety Systems Hawaii, catalog # PIP 52-3665)
□ Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), (1) 500 mL bottle (Sigma, product # 202371-500G, Poly(ethylene
glycol), Average MN 300
□ Polypropylene bag, clear
□ Gauze, 4x4”, (1) box.
The PEG, unopened, should be good for 5 years. Once opened, monitor it regularly to ensure it is still
good (it can turn rancid) and replace as necessary.
Contact Kaka’ako EHSO for assistance in putting together a kit.
Report all incidents, exposures, injuries, or near misses to Kaka’ako EHSO ASAP.
6. SPILL RESPONSE
Kaka’ako EHSO – Phenol SOP Template
Created: March, 2008 – Updated: June 14, 2013
Page 5 of 5
Before you handle phenol (even a closed container of phenol), you should be prepared to respond
to a spill. If you are unsure of what you would do, do not handle phenol and discuss your
questions or concerns with your supervisor or EHSO.
Do not attempt cleanup if you feel unsure of your ability to do so or if you perceive the risk to be too great.
Ensure no one comes into contact with the spill and immediately notify EHSO and your supervisor.
Minor Spills (e.g. dilute phenol, small quantities, spill occurs inside a fume hood, not an inhalation
hazard):
1. Notify others in the area that a spill has occurred.
2. Take measures to ensure no one comes into contact with the spill.
3. Don appropriate PPE.
4. Use spill absorbent material to absorb spill. Collect spilled material in double plastic bags
or plastic containers, and contact EHSO ASAP for proper disposal of spill clean up
materials.
5. Clean the area with soap and water.
6. Contact EHSO to discuss and document the spill.
Large spills (e.g. concentrated phenol, quantities over 50mL, spill occurs outside a fume hood):
1. Notify others in the area that a spill has occurred.
2. Take measures to ensure no one comes into contact with the spill.
3. It may be warranted to evacuate the lab and close lab doors.
4. Immediately contact EHSO for assistance.
Report all spills and near misses to Kaka’ako EHSO ASAP.
7. WASTE DISPOSAL
Phenol, mixtures or reagents containing phenol, and all items contaminated with phenol must be
submitted to Kaka’ako EHSO for proper waste disposal.
If you will be generating phenol or phenol contaminated wastes, you must have an appropriate waste
collection container ready before you start to work with phenol. The container must be closable and
labeled.
8. Safety Data Sheet – The safety data sheet (SDS) provided by the manufacturer should be
attached to the Phenol SOP.
References: Information contained in this SOP template was gathered from the following sources: Ohio
State University, University of Delaware OH&S, Sigma (MSDS), Fisher Scientific (MSDS), OSHA Health
Guidelines, NIH and CDC fact sheets, Cornell University, Princeton University (special thanks to
Princeton EH&S for their assistance).