Is Low Molecular Weight Polyethylene Glycol Used for Decontamination of Dermal Phenol Exposures?

Abstract

Dermal phenol exposures have the capacity to cause extensive chemical burns and systemic toxicity. Decontamination with low molecular weight (300-400 MW) polyethylene glycol (LMW-PEG) is recommended, but it is unclear if LMW-PEG is readily accessible. Our aim was to identify dermal exposures of phenol that were reported to a regional poison center and describe the types of decontamination agents used. We performed a retrospective study of phenol exposures reported to a single poison center from 2002 to 2025. Dermal decontamination was performed in 14/17 (82%) of cases, utilizing LMW-PEG in 0/14 (0%), water in 7/14 (50%), high molecular weight PEG (HMW-PEG) in 1/14 (7%), both water and HMW-PEG in 5/14 (36%), and water and isopropanol in 1/14 (7%). No systemic toxicity was reported. Our findings suggest that alternative measures such as water or HMW-PEG are effective for decontamination of dermal phenol exposures.