for the toxicity of phenol may be the formation of phenoxyl radicals. Since phenol is absorbed through the skin relatively quickly, systemic poisoning can occur in addition to the local caustic burns. Resorptive poisoning by a large quantity of phenol can occur even with only a small area of skin, rapidly leading to paralysis of the central nervous system and a severe drop in body temperature. The for oral toxicity is less than 500 mg/kg for dogs, rabbits, or mice; the minimum lethal human dose was cited as 140 mg/kg. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states the fatal dose for ingestion of phenol is from 1 to 32 g. Chemical burns from skin exposures can be decontaminated by washing with polyethylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, or perhaps even copious amounts of water. Removal of contaminated clothing is required, as well as immediate hospital treatment for large splashes. This is particularly important if the phenol is mixed with chloroform (a commonly used mixture in molecular biology for DNA and RNA purification). Phenol is also a reproductive toxin causing increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight indicating retarded development in utero. Phenols The word phenol is also used to refer to any compound that contains a six-membered aromatic ring, bonded directly to a hydroxyl group (-OH). Thus, phenols are a class of organic compounds of which the phenol discussed in this article is the simplest member. See also Bamberger rearrangement Claisen rearrangement Cresol Fries rearrangement Polyphenol References External links International Chemical Safety Card 0070 Phenol Material Safety Data Sheet National Pollutant Inventory: Phenol Fact Sheet NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards CDC - Phenol - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic IARC Monograph: "Phenol" Arcane Radio Trivia outlines competing uses for Phenol circa 1915 Antiseptics Commodity chemicals Hazardous air pollutants Oxoacids Phenyl compounds 1834 in science