Phenol distillation (caveat)

[Shaun D. Black]

A year or so ago I was asked to watch a distillation apparatus that was 
'making' phenol.  Noticing a separated joint, I reached in to close it only 
to have my hand covered with hot phenol (next time I'll set up the 
apparatus myself!).  Almost instantly, my hand turned 'snow' white. 
Copious quantities of washing helped, but I still lost a lot of skin on the 
hand. (Fortunately, it healed essentially as good as new eventually).  Thus, 
I strongly second the call for safety with phenol!

Let me close with another 'caveat' on phenol.  Guess what is the active 
ingredient in the commercial sore-throat remedy known as 'Chloroseptic'?
  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 
  = Shaun D. Black, PhD     | Internet:  shaun%jason.decnet at relay.the.net = 
  = Dept. of Biochemistry   | University of Texas Health Center, at Tyler = 
  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=