Substance profile
Phenol
Phenol is colorless acicular crystals or white, crystalline mass with a distinct aromatic, somewhat sickening sweet and acrid odor.
01 · Identification
What Phenol is
Phenol is colorless acicular crystals or white, crystalline mass with a distinct aromatic, somewhat sickening sweet and acrid odor. Its molecular formula is C6H6O and its molecular weight is 94.11 g/mol. It boils at 182 °C, melts at 40.9 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Phenol identifiers and molecular data
Phenol CAS number and EC number
Phenol molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Phenol
- carbolic acid
- C6H5OH
- Baker'S P And S Liquid And Ointment
- Benzenol
- Ent 1814
- Hydroxybenzene
- Liquefied Phenol
- Middle Oil
- Monohydroxybenzene
- Monophenol
- Oxybenzene
- Phenic Acid
- Phenol (Carbolic Acid)
- Phenol Alcohol
- monohydroxybenzene
- phenylalcohol
03 · GHS classification
Phenol hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Phenol pictograms and signal word
Phenol hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H301 | GHS06 |
| Acute toxicity - dermal GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H311 | GHS06 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H331 | GHS06 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 1A or 1B or 1C | H314 | GHS05 |
| Germ cell mutagenicity GHS chapter 3.5 | Category 2 | H341 | GHS08 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure GHS chapter 3.9 | Category 2 | H373 | GHS08 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Phenol hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Phenol. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Phenol
Our own Phenol safety data sheet walks through all sixteen sections of the published data. What it is not is the document an inspector asks for: an SDS is issued for a product by its supplier, so the sheet covering the grade actually standing in your store exists only in that supplier’s version. Collecting those and keeping them current as suppliers revise them is a separate job.
04 · Precautionary statements
Phenol precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 15 precautionary statements to Phenol. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Phenol name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | фенол карболова киселинамонохидроксибензенфенилов алкохол |
| Spanish español | Fenol ácido carbólicomonohidroxibencenoalcohol fenílico |
| Czech čeština | fenol karbolová kyselina |
| Danish dansk | phenol carbolsyremonohydroxybenzenphenylalkohol |
| German Deutsch | Phenol CarbolsäureMonohydroxybenzolPhenylalcohol |
| Estonian eesti | fenool karbolhapemonohüdroksübenseenfenüülalkohol |
| Greek ελληνικά | φαινόλη καρβολικό οξύμονοϋδροξυβενζόλιοφαινυλαλκοόλη |
| English English | phenol carbolic acidmonohydroxybenzenephenylalcohol |
| French français | phénol acide carboliquemonohydroxybenzènephényléthanol |
| Croatian hrvatski | fenol karbolna kiselinamonohidroksibenzenfenil-alkohol |
| Italian italiano | fenolo acido carbolicomonoidrossibenzenefenil-alcool |
| Latvian latviešu | fenols karbolskābemonohidroksibenzolsfenilspirts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | fenolis karbolio rūgštismonohidroksibenzenasfenilalkoholis |
| Hungarian magyar | fenol karbolsavmonohidroxibenzolfenilalkohol |
| Maltese Malti | fenol aċidu karbolikumonoidrossibenżenfenilalkoħol |
| Dutch Nederlands | fenol carbolzuurmonohydroxybenzeenfenylalcohol |
| Polish polski | fenol hydroksybenzenmonohydroksybenzenalkohol fenylowy |
| Portuguese português | fenol ácido carbólicomono-hidroxibenzenoálcool fenílico |
| Romanian română | fenol acid carbolicmonohidroxibenzenfenilalcool |
| Slovak slovenčina | fenol kyselina karbolovámonohydroxybenzénfenylalkohol |
| Slovenian slovenščina | fenol karbolna kislinamonohidroksibenzenfenilalkohol |
| Finnish suomi | fenoli karbolihappomonohydroksibentseenifenyylialkoholi |
| Swedish svenska | fenol karbolsyramonohydroxibensenfenylalkohol |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Phenol GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Phenol, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Phenol
- Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Toxic if inhaled.
- Toxic in contact with skin.
- Toxic if swallowed.
- May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF INHALED:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- Do NOT induce vomiting.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Phenol in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Phenol health hazards and exposure limits
Phenol hazard summary
Phenol is both a manufactured chemical and a natural substance. It is a colorless-to-white solid when pure. The commercial product is a liquid. Phenol has a distinct odor that is sickeningly sweet and tarry. You can taste and smell phenol at levels lower than those that are associated with harmful effects. Phenol evaporates more slowly than water, and a moderate amount can form a solution with water. Phenol can catch fire. Phenol is used primarily in the production of phenolic resins and in the manufacture of nylon and other synthetic fibers. It is also used in slimicides (chemicals that kill bacteria and fungi in slimes), as a disinfectant and antiseptic, and in medicinal preparations such as mouthwash and sore throat lozenges.
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Phenol carcinogenicity classification
Under the conditions of this bioassay, phenol was not carcinogenic for either male or female F344 rats or male and female B6C3F1 mice.
Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-203: Bioassay of Phenol for Possible Carcinogenicity (CASRN 108-95-2) (1980 )
Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of phenol. There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of phenol. Overall evaluation: Phenol is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Cancer Classification: Group D Not Classifiable as to Human Carcinogenicity
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Phenol occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 5.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 5 ppm (19mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 5 ppm (19 mg/m3) [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 5 ppm (19 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | 15.6 ppm (60 mg/m³) [15 minutes] | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 5 ppm (19 mg/m3) C 15.6 ppm (60 mg/m3) [15-minute] [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 250 ppm [From NPG: Phenol] (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 250 ppm (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 250.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Phenol properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Phenol boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 181.75 °C (359.2 °F) | at 759.813 mmHg | HSDB |
| 181.67 °C (359 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 182.22 °C (360 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Phenol melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 40.91 °C (105.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 42.78 °C (109 °F) | NIOSH |
Phenol density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.071 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.06 g/cm³ | NIOSH |
Phenol solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | 1 g/15 ml water | HSDB | |
| 1 g/12 ml benzene | HSDB | ||
| Very soluble in alcohol, chloroform, ether, glycerol, carbon disulfide, petrolatum, volatile and fixed oils, and aqueous alkali hydroxides | HSDB |
Phenol vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.4 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.2 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.35 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Phenol flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 79 °C (174.2 °F) | Closed cup | HSDB |
| 85 °C (185 °F) | Open cup | HSDB | |
| 79.44 °C (175 °F) | NIOSH |
Phenol autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 715 °C (1319 °F) | HSDB |
Phenol lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.8 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| 1.7 % by volume | CAMEO |
Phenol upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 8.6 % by volume | NIOSH |
Phenol vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 3.24 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Phenol odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | The phenol odor threshold of 19 people was measured and the lowest range of concentrations detected was 0.022-0.094 mg/cu m (0.006-0.024 ppm). | HSDB |
Phenol critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 421.05 °C (789.9 °F) | HSDB |
Phenol corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Caustic | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Phenol fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Phenol fire potential
May be ignited by electrostatic discharge.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Odor
Threshold odor concentration: 0.047-0.5 ppm; Absolute odor threshold: 0.048 ppm; Recognition threshold: median 0.65 ppm, upper-16.4 ppm; Population identification threshold: 0.01-0.47 ppm.
Source: HSDB
In water odor detection threshold: 5.90 ppm /chemically pure/; In air odor recognition threshold: 4.70x10-2 ppm; /chemically pure/; In air odor detection threshold: 1.00 ppm /purity not specified/; In air odor recognition threshold 4.70x10-2 ppm /pure/; In air odor threshold (type not specified): 7.70x10+10 molecules/cu cm /purity not specified/; In air odor threshold (type not specified): 2.60x10+11 molecules/cu cm /purity not specified/; In water taste threshold (type not specified): 6.00x10+1 ppm /purity not specified/; Odor threshold (medium & type of threshold not specified): 1.05x10+2 ppm /purity not specified/; Taste detection threshold in synthetic deodorized butter: 1.00x10-2 ppm /chemically pure/; Taste detection threshold (medium not specified): 1.00x10-2 ppm /purity not specified/; In beer taste recognition threshold: 2.71x10+1 moles/l /chemically pure/; In beer taste detection threshold: 1.25x10+1 ppb /chemically pure/; In water taste detection threshold: 2.50x10+1 ppm /purity not specified/; Taste recognition threshold (medium not specified): 1.00x10-2 ppm /purity not specified/
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
Phenol storage and handling
Phenol reactive group
CAMEO Chemicals places Phenol in the reactive group Phenols and Cresols. Compatibility with other chemicals is worked out from the group, not from the individual substance — which is why two substances you have never seen react can still be flagged as a pair that must be separated.
A reactive group is a CAMEO Chemicals (US NOAA) grouping, not a GHS hazard class: it has no code, no category and no legal force. It is what the storage compatibility matrix on this site computes from.
Phenol safe storage
Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Separated from strong oxidants and food and feedstuffs. Dry. Well closed. Store only in original container. Keep in a well-ventilated room. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Phenol storage conditions
Keep well closed and protected from light.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Phenol incompatible materials
Addition of aluminum chloride to a large volume of recovered nitrobenzene containing 5% phenol caused a violent explosion. Experiment showed that mixtures containing all three components reacted violently at 120 °C.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Phenol reactivity
PHENOL is a weak acid. Reacts exothermically with bases. Reacts with strong oxidizing agents. Emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes when heated to decomposition. Undergoes, in the presence of aluminum chloride, potentially explosive reactions with nitromethane, butadiene, formaldehyde, peroxodisulfuric acid, peroxosulfuric acid, and sodium nitrite. Reacts violently with sodium nitrate in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 770]. May corrode lead, aluminum and its alloys, certain plastics, and rubber. Phenol may explode in contact with peroxodisulfuric acid (D'Ans, J. Ber., 1910, 43, 1880; Z. Anorg. Chem., 1911, 73, 1911.) or peroxomonosulfuric acid. (Sidgwick, 1950, 939)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Phenol in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Phenol UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
The same CAS number is shipped under more than one UN number. Which entry applies follows from the form and the concentration of the consignment — read the proper shipping name, not the CAS.
Phenol under UN 1671 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHENOL, SOLID | 6.1 | T2 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenol, solid | 6.1 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
Phenol under UN 2312 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHENOL, MOLTEN | 6.1 | T1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenol, molten | 6.1 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
Phenol under UN 2821 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHENOL SOLUTION | 6.1 | T1 | II | |
| PHENOL SOLUTION | 6.1 | T1 | III | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenol solutions | 6.1 | II | |
| Phenol solutions | 6.1 | III | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Phenol — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Phenol?
The CAS number of Phenol is 108-95-2. Its EC number is 203-632-7.
What is the chemical formula of Phenol?
The molecular formula of Phenol is C6H6O and its molecular weight is 94.11 g/mol.
What does a Phenol label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Phenol carries the pictograms Skull and crossbones, Health hazard and Corrosion and the signal word is Danger.
Is Phenol flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Phenol no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 79 °C (174.2 °F), Closed cup (HSDB).
Is Phenol a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Phenol. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health. IARC places it in Group 3: not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Phenol?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Phenol is 5.0 [ppm] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Phenol?
The boiling point reported for Phenol is 181.75 °C (359.2 °F), at 759.813 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Phenol?
The melting point reported for Phenol is 40.91 °C (105.6 °F) (HSDB).
How should Phenol be stored?
Keep well closed and protected from light. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Phenol
Keep going: substances starting with P, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.
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