Identifying Phenol Exposure Risks to Protect Workers in California

The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) describes phenol as both a manufactured chemical and a natural substance. It is a solid when pure, but the commercial product is typically in liquid form. Due to its many applications, millions of tons of it are produced each year to be used in a number of industries in California and across the country.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), workers may be harmed from exposure to phenol with the level of harm depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. Routes of exposure include inhalation, oral and dermal. Exposure may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, throat and nervous system. Some symptoms of exposure may include weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, muscle aches and pain. Severe exposure can cause liver and/or kidney damage, skin burns, convulsions and twitching.

Examples of some workers listed by NIOSH as potentially being at risk for phenol exposure include:

• Workers in the petroleum industry
• Workers in plants where nylon is manufactured
• Workers in plants that manufacture epoxy resins
• Workers in plants that manufacture herbicides

“NIOSH, OSHA and Cal/OSHA all have exposure limits for phenol to protect workers,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, we offer industrial hygiene and environmental testing services, sampling supplies and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate exposure risks to phenol and many other industrial chemicals. These services help to keep companies and institutions in California in regulatory compliance while protecting their employees.”

LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about phenol and potential exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/yPGD6Uuvp7k

To learn more about phenol or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail