LevelSixLabs
Sign inTry free

Chemical safety

Phenol: hazards and COSHH prompts

Present in many nucleic-acid extraction reagents; causes severe burns that can be painless at first.

See COSHH in the demo labAll chemicals

Always work from your own safety data sheet. Classification varies with grade, concentration and supplier. Use this page to orient yourself, then assess the task you are actually doing, at the scale you are actually doing it.

Hazard classification

CAS
108-95-2
Formula
C6H6O
Molecular weight
94.11
Signal word
Danger

GHS pictograms

CorrosionSkull and crossbonesHealth hazardEnvironmentExclamation mark

Hazard statements

  • H301Toxic if swallowed
  • H302Harmful if swallowed
  • H311Toxic in contact with skin
  • H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
  • H318Causes serious eye damage
  • H331Toxic if inhaled
  • H340May cause genetic defects
  • H341Suspected of causing genetic defects
  • H360May damage fertility or the unborn child
  • H370Causes damage to organs
  • H372Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
  • H373May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
  • H401Toxic to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]
  • H411Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
  • H412Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Precautionary statements (30)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
  • P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  • P264+P265Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P273Avoid release to the environment.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301+P316IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P301+P330+P331IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • P301+P317IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
  • P302+P352IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P302+P361+P354IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
  • P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305+P354+P338IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P308+P316IF exposed or concerned: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P321Specific treatment — see the safety data sheet.
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P361+P364Take off immediately all contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.
  • P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
  • P391Collect spillage.
  • P403+P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional and national regulations.

Classification data from PubChem CID 996 , retrieved automatically and refreshed weekly. PubChem aggregates from multiple suppliers; entries can differ from the SDS for your grade.

What your COSHH assessment has to answer

Based on the hazard classes above. These are prompts, not answers — the right control depends on your task, your quantities and your room.

Because it is acutely toxic

  • Which exposure route is credible for your task — inhalation, skin, or both?
  • Is containment engineered (fume hood, cabinet) rather than relying on PPE?
  • What is the first-aid response, and is the material for it actually at the point of use?
  • Is lone working with this restricted?

Because it burns or irritates skin and eyes

  • Is eye protection specified for the actual task, including splash risk when pouring?
  • Are the gloves rated for this substance and this contact time?
  • Where is the nearest eyewash, and when was it last flushed and checked?

Because it is a carcinogen, mutagen or reproductive hazard

  • Has substitution been considered, and is the reason for not substituting recorded?
  • Is exposure reduced as low as reasonably practicable, not merely below a limit?
  • Are new and expectant mothers specifically considered?
  • Is health surveillance or exposure monitoring expected for this work?

Because it can damage organs

  • Is the exposure repeated or long-term rather than one-off?
  • Is there an exposure limit to design the controls around?
  • Are users told what early symptoms look like and who to report them to?

Because it is hazardous to the environment

  • Is drain disposal ruled out, and does everyone know that?
  • Is the waste container labelled at the point of generation?
  • Is the disposal contractor's consignment paperwork in order?

Others in fixatives & biological reagents

Formaldehyde solution (formalin)

The standard fixative, and a recognised carcinogen with tight workplace exposure limits.

Read

Paraformaldehyde

Powder form that depolymerises to formaldehyde — heating to dissolve it is the exposure risk.

Read

2-Mercaptoethanol

Reducing agent used in protein and RNA work — acutely toxic and unmistakable by smell.

Read

Stop rebuilding this by hand

Keep Phenol — and everything else — in one inventory.

LevelSixLabs pulls GHS classification onto your chemical records automatically, then builds COSHH assessments from the substances you already hold. Explore a fully-stocked demo lab, no signup.

Explore the demo lab See chemical inventory