Phenol

Reference Dose for Oral Exposure (RfD) (PDF) (31 pp, 194 K) Last Updated: 09/30/2002

Reference Concentration for Inhalation Exposure (RfC) (PDF) (31 pp, 194 K) Last Updated: 09/30/2002

Information reviewed but value not estimated.

Weight of Evidence for Cancer (PDF) (31 pp, 194 K) Last Updated: 09/30/2002

• Under Draft Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment (U.S. EPA, 1999), the data regarding the carcinogenicity of phenol via the oral, inhalation, and dermal exposure routes are inadequate for an assessment of human carcinogenic potential. Phenol was negative in oral carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice, but questions remain regarding increased leukemia in male rats in the bioassay as well as the positive gene mutation data and the positive results in dermal initiation/promotion studies at doses at or above the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). No inhalation studies of an appropriate duration exist. Therefore, no quantitative assessment of carcinogenic potential via any route is possible.
• This may be a synopsis of the full weight-of-evidence narrative.

Quantitative Estimate of Carcinogenic Risk from Oral Exposure (PDF) (31 pp, 194 K)

Not assessed under the IRIS Program.

Quantitative Estimate of Carcinogenic Risk from Inhalation Exposure (PDF) (31 pp, 194 K)

Not assessed under the IRIS Program.