GreenD
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Why does Phenol cause burns?
My friend told me he was burned by Phenol.
Having no experience with it myself, other than its structure and weak acidity, I called BS. Then looked at the MSDS and that changed my mind.
How does phenol cause burns?
Wikipedia (...) says the toxicity can be attributed to phenoxy radicals, and hydrophobicity, but neither of these would explain why it would cause
immediate, and severe burns.
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mr.crow
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Surgeons used to pack phenol into bandages for antiseptic surgery. Also vaporized into the air. Before this invention you were guaranteed a nasty
infection.
I don't know, but weak acidity and disrupting normal cellular function sounds plausible.
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble
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bahamuth
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Phenol causes lysis of the cells, probably because it dissolves fat and carbohydrates very well.
We use it in DNA/RNA extraction together with chloroform to completely lyse the cells and release the genetic material. Also it inhibits enzymes I'm
told.
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
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GreenD
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ahh ok. makes sense.
I believe this is why people use salicylic acid on face - lyse bacteria cells,. but not human?
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Random
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Quote: Originally posted by GreenD  | ahh ok. makes sense.
I believe this is why people use salicylic acid on face - lyse bacteria cells,. but not human? |
i believe it does both, but slowly and less toxic than phenol
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zed
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Immediate, and severe burns...that you don't know you are acquiring! Perhaps that explains the mystery. Other acids tell you of their actions via a
burning sensation. Phenol is a potent local anesthetic.
You become aware of your trauma, only when you notice the huge Blisters forming on your skin.
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BromicAcid
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Don't forget that most acids are hydrophillic, they don't pass through the skin easily. Phenol, anhydrous HF, methanesulfonic acid, etc are all
fairly soluble in organics, they pass through the skin and do their damage on the inside. Even a weaker acid like phenol, ignoring it's other
effects, can cause damage once it makes its way past the skin.
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