Phenols
Phenols are a group of compounds with a hydroxyl group attached to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. They are similar to Alcohols but are not classified as such.
Phenol is found in coal tar but common sources are industrial processes.
Phenols can cause nausea, headaches, skin irritation and central nervous system effects.
Nicholls Colton Analytical use steam distillation to extract phenols followed by analysis using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer.