Introduction
As phenol is mostly used for packaging plastics today, it may be most known for its use in the Holocaust. Hitler was very experimental on the prisoners at his death camps. He used many different doctors to perform hypothermia tests and genetic tests. Once these tests were complete, doctors such as Dr. Johann Kremer (most known phenol executioner) would inject the prisoners with phenol. The Germans used phenol because it became the most effective economical choice for execution. It was more expensive to kill the Jews in gas chambers than to shoot them with phenol injection.
Phenol is also a major component in the herbicide Agent Orange used by the United States Military in Vietnam. This herbicide was used to eliminate the cover of Vietnamese soldiers in a forested region. Vietnamese soldiers were known to hide themselves in the bush so the American forces decided to eliminate the cover which would force the Vietnamese to retreat. However, this herbicide also had negative affects on the soldiers on both sides. Phenol and chlorine were the main components. Many soldiers suffered serious diseases from these herbicides so it has been at the center of controversy for many years (Phenol). Many veterans today still are dealing with the effects of Agent Orange.
Phenol derives from coal tar. This is how it was produced for many years and still can be produced this way. Coal tar itself is very useful in todays world. Coal tar is used for seal coats on driveways or other pavements. Some states ban coal tar use because it is also a cancer causing agent. Coal tar is used for industrial use as well like fire boilers. It can be used to cure diseases like psoriasis too. Nowadays, phenol can be produced by scientists in a laboratory.
Phenol is also a major component in the herbicide Agent Orange used by the United States Military in Vietnam. This herbicide was used to eliminate the cover of Vietnamese soldiers in a forested region. Vietnamese soldiers were known to hide themselves in the bush so the American forces decided to eliminate the cover which would force the Vietnamese to retreat. However, this herbicide also had negative affects on the soldiers on both sides. Phenol and chlorine were the main components. Many soldiers suffered serious diseases from these herbicides so it has been at the center of controversy for many years (Phenol). Many veterans today still are dealing with the effects of Agent Orange.
Phenol derives from coal tar. This is how it was produced for many years and still can be produced this way. Coal tar itself is very useful in todays world. Coal tar is used for seal coats on driveways or other pavements. Some states ban coal tar use because it is also a cancer causing agent. Coal tar is used for industrial use as well like fire boilers. It can be used to cure diseases like psoriasis too. Nowadays, phenol can be produced by scientists in a laboratory.