Potentially Teratogenic Organic Compounds

There are two solid organic compounds listed in Table 1, phenol and salicylic acid. Phenol is a low melting (41-43°C) solid with a high vapor pressure. It is a severe skin irritant in addition to being highly toxic and potentially teratogenic. Since it is normally dispensed as a liquid (with a little water), phenol is listed with the organic liquids in Table 2. 

Salicylic acid (m.p. 157-159°C) is a crystalline solid widely used in the General Chemistry laboratory. All but three of the lab manuals examined use salicylic acid, usually for making aspirin or oil of wintergreen. When handled properly, salicylic acid should pose no significant hazard for students in the laboratory. The only appreciable uptake of this compound that might occur would be through inhalation of the tiny particles picked up and carried by the air stream. This can be minimized by avoiding work areas where there is air turbulence or ventilation currents. 

The organic liquids in Table 1 include ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is a common solvent and chemical reagent. During normal exposure in the laboratory such a small amount of ethanol is inhaled or absorbed through the skin that it would correspond to only a miniscule taste of the liquid. However, denaturants in lab alcohol can modify its toxicity. Denatured alcohol often contains about 5% of an additive such as benzene or methanol. Of the twenty lab manuals examined, eighteen use ethanol. The other two specified methanol instead. In general, methanol is considerably more toxic than ethanol. 

The other organic liquids in Table 1 are also listed in Table 2, along with concentrated solutions of phenol and formaldehyde. These liquids, as a group, are probably the most hazardous of all the potential teratogens found in the 

General Chemistry laboratory. All are volatile to some degree, as indicated by their boiling points, and some are carcinogens as well. 

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