Chlorophenols

Safety Profile

Many are suspected experimental carcinogens. Most are strong eye and skin irritants. They are systemic irritants by inhalation, ingestion, and sh contact. Generally mutagenic. Trichlorophenols are generally poisons and may be carcinogens. They may contain 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as a contaminant. Some trichlorophenols are used as herbicides (e.g.2,4,5-T and silvex). Human exposure map cause chloracne, liver dysfunction, muscle weakness, and prophyria. routes. Human exposure causes increased respiration, fever, tachycardia, muscle weakness, and cardiac fdure. Many toxic effects are due to impurities in commercialgrade material. A teratogen and mutagen. Pentachlorophenol and 2,4,6 trichlorophenol may interfere with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, When heated to decomposition they emit toxic fumes of Cl-. See also specific compounds, PHENOL, and CHLORIDESPentachlorophenol is a poison by several