Safety of phenol vapor inhalation during performance of chemical matrixectomy to treat ingrown toenails.
BACKGROUND
Phenol is commonly used in chemical matrixectomies to treat ingrown toenails. Although many studies have documented the safety of phenol matrixectomy for the patient, few studies have investigated the procedure's safety for the physician and auxiliary health care personnel.


OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety of phenol vapor inhalation for health care personnel during performance of chemical matrixectomy.


METHODS
The environmental concentrations of phenol in the respiration zones of the physician and an assistant were measured during an in-office surgical procedure consisting of two partial chemical matrixectomies using a 95% phenol solution. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector.


RESULTS
The phenol concentration measured in the physician's respiration zone was close to Spain's established environmental limit of daily exposure, with an index of exposure of 60%. The concentration measured in the assistant's respiration zone was well below the environmental limit of daily exposure, with an index of exposure of only 10%.


CONCLUSIONS
The performance of chemical matrixectomies is safe for health care personnel when they are exposed to the vapor of phenol solutions of up to 95% concentration for up to 21 minutes. The degree of safety would be greater with lower phenol concentrations and shorter exposure times.
Losa Iglesias
Marta Elena
ME
Health Sciences II Department, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. marta.losa@urjc.es
Veiga de Cabo
Jorge
J
Tejedor Traspaderne
José
J
Aguilar Franco
Josefa
J
Bernaola Alonso
Manuel
M
Becerro de Bengoa Vallejo
Ricardo
R
D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D009263:Nails, Ingrown / Q000628:therapy*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D019800:Phenol / Q000032:analysis*; D010823:Physician Assistants; D010820:Physicians; D014835:Volatilization
D019800:Phenol