DETERMINATION OF PHENOL LEVELS IN SOME SELECTED DISINFECTANTS BY SPECTROPHOTOMETRY TECHNIQUE

Abstract

The levels of phenol in some selected popular brands of disinfectants were analysed in duplicates by molecular spectrophotometry technique. 5 g of each of the disinfectant sample was weighed and diluted to 250 mL volumetric flask by difference and diluted to mark with distilled water. Single point calibration curve method was employed. Phenol standard was measured using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 510 nm to create a calibration curve. Subsequently, the concentrations of phenol in the unknown disinfectants samples were read off using the same spectrophotometer. Repeatability as the coefficient of variations is less than 3.5 % in all cases which connoted good precision and method performance. The analytical method is simple, sensitive, selective and highly reliable therefore reliable for routine analysis. The levels of phenol in the four disinfectants (Dettol = 5.75 %, Harpic = 4.00 %, Izal = 7 %, and Ivy's = 5.5 %) are found to be within the permissible concentration of 7% allowed by W.H.O. for disinfectants therefore unlikely to have any negative toll on the health of the end-users. Yet, there is the need for periodic monitoring of these products by relevant agencies to ensure the quality of these products and safety of the end-users.