MAKING SENSE OF AN MSDS—A Case Study of Phenol

Phenol

MSDS# 64

return to text  Effective Date 10/01/2003

According to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200

Version 16. Material Safety Data Sheet

Material Name

Phenol

Uses

Restricted to professional users.Use as an intermediate in industrial chemicals manufacture.

Product CodeS1223

CompanyShell Chemical LP

PO Box 2463

HOUSTON TX 77252-2463 USA

MSDS Request

1-800-240-6737  

Customer Service

1-800-872-7435  

Chemtrec Domestic (24 hr)

1-800-424-9300  

Chemtrec International (24 hr)

1-703-527-3887  

Chemical Name

CAS No.

Concentration

Phenol

108-95-2

100.00%

Do not use in the manufacture or preparation of foods or pharmaceuticals.

Emergency Overview

Appearance and Odour

White crystals below 109º F. Clear liquid on melting.. Phenolic. Sweet.

Health Hazards

Causes severe burns. Even moderate exposures might be fatal since phenol deadens the feeling in exposed areas. May dull the sense of smell and has a high odour threshold, so do not rely on odour as an indication of hazard. Toxic if swallowed. Very toxic in contact with skin.

Safety Hazards

Environmental Hazards

Toxic to aquatic organisms.

Health Hazards

Inhalation Irritating to respiratory system. May dull the sense of smell and has a high odour threshold, so do not rely on odour as an indication of hazard.

Skin ContactCauses severe burns. Toxic in contact with skin. Even moderate expos-ures might be fatal since phenol deadens the feeling in exposed areas.  

Eye ContactCauses severe burns. Risk of serious damage to eyes.

IngestionToxic if swallowed. Irritating to the gastrointestinal tract.

Other InformationPossibility of organ or organ system damage from prolonged exposure;

see Chapter 11 for details. Target organ(s):
Kidney.
Liver.
Respiratory system.

Signs and Symptoms Respiratory irritation signs and symptoms may include a temporary burning sensation of the nose and throat, coughing, and/or difficulty breathing. Breath-ing of high vapour concentrations may cause central nervous system (CNS) depression resulting in dizziness, light-headedness,headache, nausea and loss of coordination. Continued inhalation may result in unconsciousness and death. Other signs and symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) depression may include headache, nausea, lack of coordination. Lung dam-age (scarring, bronchitis, emphysema) may be indicated by shortness of breath, especially on exertion, & may be accompanied by a chronic cough. Kidney damage may be indicated by changes in urine output or appearance, pain upon urination or in the lower back, or general oedema (swelling from fluid retention). Liver damage may be indicated by loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowish skin & eye colour), fatigue, bleeding or easy bruising & sometimes pain & swelling in the upper right abdomen. Heart damage may be evidenced by shortness of breath and, in severe cases, by collapse (cardiac arrest).  

Aggravated Medical ConditionPre-existing medical conditions of the following organ(s) or organ system(s) may be aggravated by exposure to this material: Central nervous system (CNS). Kidney. Liver. Skin. Eyes.

Environmental HazardsToxic to aquatic organisms.

General Information

DO NOT attempt to rescue the victim unless proper respiratory protection is worn. Keep victim calm. Obtain medical treatment immediately. Contaminated leather articles including shoes cannot be decontaminated and should be destroyed to prevent reuse.  

InhalationDO NOT DELAY. Remove to fresh air. Do not attempt to rescue the victim unless proper respiratory protection is worn. If the victim has difficulty breathing or tightness of the chest, is dizzy, vomiting, or unresponsive, give 100% oxygen with rescue breathing or CPR as required and transport to the nearest medical facility.  

Skin ContactDO NOT DELAY. Remove contaminated clothing. Immediately flush skin with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Transport to the nearest medical facility for additional treatment.  

Eye ContactDO NOT DELAY. Immediately flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 30 minutes while holding eyelids open. Transport to the nearest medical facility for additional treatment.  

IngestionDO NOT DELAY. Do not induce vomiting. If victim is alert, rinse mouth and drink 1/2 to 1 glass of water to help dilute the material. Do not give liquids to a drowsy, convulsing, or unconscious person. Transport to nearest medical facility for additional treatment. If vomiting occurs spontaneously, keep head below hips to prevent aspiration.  

Clear fire area of all non-emergency personnel.

Flash point

79.4 °C / 174.9 °F (Tagliabue Closed Cup)  

Explosion / Flammability limits in air

1.5 - 8.6 %(V)

Auto ignition temperature

716 °C / 1,321 °F  

Specific Hazards

Material will not burn unless preheated.  

Extinguishing Media

Alcohol-resistant foam, water spray or fog. Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, sand or earth may be used for small fires only.  

Unsuitable Extinguishing Media

Do not use water in a jet.

Protective Equipment for Firefighters

Proper protective equipment including breathing apparatus must be worn when approaching a fire in a confined space. Wear full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus.  

Additional Advice

All storage areas should be provided with adequate fire fighting facilities. Evacuate the area of all non-essential personnel. Keep adjacent containers cool by spraying with water.  

Avoid contact with spilled or released material. For guidance on selection of personal protective equip-ment see Chapter 8 of this MSDS. Observe all relevant local and international regulations.

Protective measures

Avoid inhaling vapour and/or mists. Stay upwind and keep out of low areas. Avoid contact with the skin. Avoid contact with spilled or released material. Immediately remove all contaminated clothing. For guidance on selection of personal protective equipment see Chapter 8 of this Material Safety Data Sheet. For guidance on disposal of spilled material see Chapter 13 of this Material Safety Data Sheet. Isolate hazard area and deny entry to unnec-essary or unprotected personnel. Notify authorities if any exposure to the general public or the environment occurs or is likely to occur. Remove all possible sources of ignition in the surrounding area. Use appropriate con-tainment to avoid environmental contamination. Prevent from spreading or entering drains, ditches or rivers by using sand, earth, or other appropriate barriers. Attempt to disperse the vapour or to direct its flow to a safe location for example by using fog sprays. Take precautionary measures against static discharge. Ensure electrical continuity by bonding and grounding (earthing) all equipment. Ventilate contaminated area thoroughly.

Clean Up Methods

If molten allow to congeal. Attempt to disperse the vapour or to direct its flow to a safe location, for example by using fog sprays. Do not use water in a jet. Neutralize contam-inated area as appropriate for acid or base spill. For large liquid spills (> 1 drum), transfer by mechanical means such as vacuum truck to a salvage tank for recovery or safe disposal. Do not flush away residues with water. Retain as contaminated waste. Allow residues to evaporate or soak up with an appropriate absorbent material and dispose of safely. Remove contaminated soil; dispose of safely. For small liquid spills (< 1 drum), transfer by mechanical means to a labelled, sealable container for product recovery or safe disposal. Allow residues to evaporate or soak up with appropriate absorbent material;dispose of safely. Remove contamin-ated soil; dispose of safely.

Additional Advice

Proper disposal should be evaluated based on regulatory status of this material (refer to Section 13), potential contamination from subsequent use and spillage, and regulations governing disposal in the local area. Local authorities should be advised if significant spillages cannot be contained. Observe all relevant local regulations. Notify authorities if any exposure to the general public or the environment occurs or is likely to occur. U.S. regulations may require reporting releases of this material to the environ-ment which exceed the reportable quantity (refer to Chapter 15) to the National Response Centre at (800) 424-8802.  

General Precautions

Avoid breathing of or contact with material. Only use in well ventilated areas. Wash thoroughly after handling. For guidance on selection of personal protective equipment see Chapter 8 of this Material Safety Data Sheet.

Handling

Decontaminant should be readily available. Avoid exposure. Obtain special instructions before use. In accordance with good industrial hygiene practices, precautions should be taken to avoid breathing of material. Avoid inhaling vapour and/or mists. Ventilate workplace in such a way that the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) is not exceeded. Extinguish any naked flames. Do Not smoke. Remove ignition sources. Avoid sparks. Handle and open container with care in a well-ventilated area. Do not empty into drains.

Storage

A reliable fixed sprinkler/deluge system should be installed. Must be stored in a diked (bunded) well-ventilated area, away from sunlight, ignition sources and other sources of heat. Tanks must be specifically designed for use with this product. Tanks should be fitted with a vapour recovery system. Nitrogen blanket recommended. Tanks should be fitted with heating coils in areas where ambient conditions can result in handling temperatures below the freezing point/pour point of the product. Cleaning, inspection and maintenance of storage tanks is a specialist operation which requires the implementation of strict procedures and precautions. These include issuing of work permits, gas-freeing of tanks, using a manned harness and lifelines and wearing air-supplied breathing apparatus.

Product Transfer

Lines should be purged with nitrogen before and after product transfer. Steam coils may be used as a heating medium.

Recommended Materials

Stainless steel.  

Unsuitable Materials

Aluminium alloys.; Copper.; Zinc.; For containers, or container linings avoid copper, copper alloys, zinc.; For lines and fittings, avoid copper, copper alloys, zinc.; Natural and synthetic rubbers.

Additional Information

Ensure that all local regulations regarding handling and storage facilities are followed. Use the information in this data sheet as input to a risk assess-ment of local circumstances to help determine appropriate controls for safe handling, storage and disposal of this material. Contaminated leather art-icles including shoes cannot be decontaminated and should be destroyed to prevent reuse. Surfaces that are sufficiently hot may ignite liquid material.  

Material

Source

Type

ppm

mg/m3

Notation

Phenol  

ACGIH

TWA

5 ppm

ACGIH

SKIN_DES

Can be absorbed through the skin.

OSHA Z1

PEL

5 ppm

19 mg/m3

OSHA Z1

SKIN_DES

Can be absorbed through the skin.

OSHA Z1A

TWA

5 ppm

19 mg/m3

OSHA Z1A

SKIN_FINAL

Can be absorbed through the skin.

Additional Information

Wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking and using the toilet. Launder contaminated clothing before re-use.  

Exposure Controls

The level of protection and types of controls necessary will vary depending upon potential exposure conditions. Select controls based on a risk assess-ment of local circumstances. Appropriate measures include: Adequate explosion-proof ventilation to control airborne concentrations below the exposure guidelines/limits. Exhaust emission systems should be designed in accordance with local conditions; the air should always be moved away from the source of vapour generation and the person working at this point. Provide adequate ventilation in storage areas. Eye washes and showers for emergency use. Firewater monitors and deluge systems are recommended. Items that cannot be decontaminated should be destroyed (see Chapter 13). The American Industrial Hygiene Association has established emergency response planning guidelines (ERPG) for phenol. These guidelines are estimates of concentration ranges which alone could reasonably anticipate observing adverse effects. Phenol ERPG-1, 10 ppm, is a maximum airborne concentration below which individuals could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing mild transient health effects. Phenol, ERPG-2, 50 ppm, is a maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that an indi-vidual could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing or developing irreversible or other serious health effects. Phenol ERPG-3, 200 ppm, is a maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that individuals could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing or developing life threatening health effects. Shell has adopted as Interim Standards, the OSHA PELs that were established in 1989 and later rescinded.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) should meet recommended national standards. Check with PPE suppliers. Check with respiratory protective equipment suppliers.

Respiratory Protection

In accordance with good industrial hygiene practices, precautions should be taken to avoid breathing of material. If engineering controls do not maintain airborne concentrations to a level which is adequate to protect worker health, select respiratory protection equipment suitable for the specific conditions of use and meeting relevant legislation. Check with respiratory protective equipment suppliers.  

Hand Protection

Suitability and durability of a glove is dependent on usage, e.g. frequency and duration of contact, chemical resistance of glove material, glove thickness, dexterity. Always seek advice from glove suppliers. Contaminated gloves should be replaced. Where hand contact with the product may occur the use of gloves approved to relevant standards (e.g. Europe: EN374, US: F739) made from the following materials may provide suitable chemical protection: Nitrile rubber. Viton.  

Eye Protection

Chemical splash goggles (gas-tight monogoggles) and face shield.  

Protective Clothing Chemical resistant gloves/gauntlets, boots, and apron. Where risk of splashing or in spillage clean up, use chemical resistant one-piece overall with integral hood.  

Appearance

:

White crystals below 109º F. Clear liquid on melting.  

Odour

:

Phenolic

Sweet

Odour threshold

:

< 0.05 ppm

pH

:

Not applicable.

Boiling point

:

181 °C / 358 °F  

Melting / freezing point

:

>= 40.7 °C / 105.3 °F  

Flash point

:

79.4 °C / 174.9 °F (Tagliabue Closed Cup)  

Explosion / Flammability limits in air

:

1.5 - 8.6 %(V)

Auto-ignition temperature

:

716 °C / 1,321 °F  

Vapour pressure

:

0.05 kPa at 25 °C / 77 °F  

0.35 kPa at 50 °C / 122 °F  

5.47 kPa at 100 °C / 212 °F  

53.3 kPa at 160 °C / 320 °F  

Specific gravity

:

1.1

Density

:

1,050 kg/m3 at 50 °C / 122 °F  Water solubility:

Water solubility

:

Moderate

n-octanol/water partition coefficient (log Pow)

:

< 1.47

Kinematic viscosity

:

3.4 mm2/s at 50 °C / 122 °F  

Vapour density (air=1)

:

3.2  

Electrical conductivity

:

3.5 µS/m at 50 °C / 122 °F (ASTM D-4308)

State of aggregation

:

Liquid/Solid  

Molecular weight

:

94.1 g/mol

Stability

Stable under normal conditions of use. Reacts w/strong oxidising agents.

Conditions to Avoid

Exposure to air. Exposure to sunlight. Do not store or handle in alum-inium equipment at temperatures above 120 ºF (48.9 ºC). Prevent vapour accumulation. Avoid heat, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources.

Materials to Avoid

Aluminum Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents, copper and copper alloys. Avoid contact with calcium hypochlorite.

Hazardous Decomposition Products

Hazardous decomposition products are not expected to form during normal storage.

Basis for Assessment

:

Information given is based on product data.

Acute Oral Toxicity

:

Moderately toxic: LD50 >200 - 2000 mg/kg , Rat

Acute Dermal Toxicity

:

Toxic: LD50 > 200 - <=1000 mg/kg , Rabbit

Skin Irritation

:

Causes burns.

Eye Irritation

:

Causes burns. 

Respiratory Irritation

:

Inhalation of vapours or mists may cause irritation to the respiratory system.

Sensitisation

:

Not a skin sensitiser.  

Repeated Dose Toxicity

:

Liver: can cause liver damage.  

Kidney: can cause kidney damage.  

Respiratory system: caused breathing difficulty in animals.  

Mutagenicity

:

Mutagenic; positive in in-vivo and in-vitro assays.

Carcinogenicity

:

Not a carcinogen.

Material

Carcinogenicity Classification

Phenol :

ACGIH Group A4: Not classifiable as a human carcinogen. 

Phenol :

IARC 3: Classification not possible from current data. 

Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity

:

Causes foetotoxicity in animals at doses which are maternally toxic.  

Does not impair fertility.

Additional Information

:

In human poisonings, heart and respiratory functions were impaired.

Acute Toxicity

Fish

:

Toxic: 1 < LC/EC/IC50 <= 10 mg/l  

Aquatic Invertebrates

:

Toxic: 1 < LC/EC/IC50 <= 10 mg/l  

Algae

:

Expected to be harmful: 10 < LC/EC/IC50 <= 100 mg/l  

Mobility

:

Dissolves in water.  

Persistence/degradability

:

Readily biodegradable meeting the 10 day window criterion.  

Oxidises rapidly by photo-chemical reactions in air.  

Bioaccumulation

:

Does not bioaccumulate significantly.  

Material Disposal Recover or recycle if possible. It is the responsibility of the waste generator to determine the toxicity and physical properties of the material generated to determine the proper waste classification and disposal methods in compliance with applicable regulations.  

Container DisposalDrain container thoroughly. After draining, vent in a safe place away from sparks and fire. Residues may cause an explosion hazard. Do not puncture, cut or weld uncleaned drums. Send to drum recoverer or metal reclaimer.  

Local LegislationLocal regulations may be more stringent than regional or national requirements and must be complied with.

US Department of Transportation Classification (49CFR)

Identification number

UN 2312

Proper shipping name

Phenol, molten

Class / Division6.1

Packing group

II

Emergency Response Guide No.

153

IMDG

Identification number

UN 2312

Proper shipping name

PHENOL, MOLTEN

Class / Division6.1

Packing group

II

Marine pollutant:

No

IATA (Country variations may apply)

Identification number

UN 1671

Proper shipping name

Phenol, solid

Class / Division6.1

Packing group

II

AICS

Listed. 

DSL

Listed. 

INV (CN)

Listed. 

ENCS (JP)

Listed.(3)-481

TSCA

Listed. 

EINECS

Listed.203-632-7

KECI (KR)

Listed.97-1-332

KECI (KR)

Listed.KE-28209

PICCS (PH)

Listed.