Remediation Strategies for Phenolic Compounds Toxicity

Phenol, although used as an essential ingredient for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, yet can lead to severe toxicity on improper handling. Several industrial wastewater (especially, from coke-oven plants, pharmaceuticals, textile and chemical industries) pose serious threat to living organisms. The present paper provides an outline of the physico-chemical characteristics, usages and hazards and remediation measures for control of phenol toxicity. The various analytic methods of attempts for dephenolation of wastewater include steam stripping, solvent extraction, oxidation (O₃, H₂O₂, and ClO₂), ion exchange, biodegradation and adsorption methods were discussed.