Chlorinated Phenols: Occurrence, Toxicity, Metabolism, And Environmental Impact

Abstract

Pentachlorophenol and the lower chlorinated phenols, tetra- and trichlorophenols, have gained an increasing use as fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and precursors in the synthesis of other pesticides since the early 1930s. World-wide production totals about 200,000 tons. Production and use of chlorinated phenols have caused industrial hygiene problems but, otherwise, have not been recognized to create more than limited environmental problems. The introduction of modern analytical techniques, however, has revealed the ubiquitous occurrence of chlorophenols in the environment, and the discovery of chlorinated dimers, such as dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, as impurities in commercial chlorophenol formulations, has made a reevaluation of the chlorinated phenols necessary. The present article reviews recent studies on the toxicity and metabolism in mammals and aquatic organisms and the degradation of the chlorophenols under various conditions in the environment. Finally, the hazards of burning of chlorophenol wastes are discussed, as well as health considerations with regard to humans and the environment.

Biostimulation of Indigenous Microbial Communities for Anaerobic Transformation of Pentachlorophenol in Paddy Soils of Southern China

“…2 The universal toxicity of CPs has long been recognized. 3 CPs accumulate in living bodies, resulting in damage to the liver, kidneys, blood, and nervous system. 4,5 Pentachlorophenol (PCP) from the category of CPs has been widely used in China since the 1980s, which has generated harmful effects in aquaculture or soil systems.…”

Removal of chlorophenols from aqueous solutions by sorption onto walnut, pistachio and hazelnut shells

“…They can be introduced into the water, soil and air from various sources such as wood and fi bers preservatives, production and use of pesticides 1, 2 or as possible by-products of drinking water disinfection 3 . Because of the long persistence and high toxicity of chlorophenols their use is prohibited or restricted in many countries 4 .…”

Prediction of Environmental Properties for Chlorophenols with Posetic Quantitative Super-Structure/Property Relationships (QSSPR)

“…Besides the fact that phenols give an unpleasant taste and odor to drinking water, they are powerful toxics for various biological processes. Due to their widespread use in industry, household, forest industries, and as disinfectants, chlorophenols represent an important source of soil contaminants [13, [19][20][21]. The environmental fate (soil adsorption, water solubility, partition between soil and water, reaction rates) of these chemicals depends on their physicochemical properties.…”