Phenols are common in nature and are an important manufacturing product widely used in household products, such as mouthwash, gargling, drops in toothaches and as a disinfectant in cleaners. Phenols are also used extensively in the industrial production of epoxides, nylon, detergents, herbicides and many pharmaceutical medicines.

Phenol is very poisonous and readily soluble in water.

Adsorption with PAC, powdered activated carbon, filters, with a well-developed porous structure and a large specific surface area, has been shown to be very effective in the removal of phenol from water.