Utilizing physical extraction versus chemical extraction to determine phenol concentrations in the liquid phase of commercially available sanitary wipes

Sorption (adsorption or absorption) of chemicals to solid phases has been demonstrated to dramatically affect the transportation, and ultimately, the fate of these chemicals in the environment. The effect of sorption on the concentration of Phenol in the liquid phase of disposable disinfectant wipes has been investigated in this study. Cotton gauze towelettes, saturated with a liquid disinfectant containing Phenol, and sealed in individual packages are sold as disposable disinfecting wipes. Two methods were used to determine the amount of Phenol on these towelettes; physical compression and chemical extraction. Some towelettes were physically compressed to extract the liquid phase. Additional towelettes (from the same lot/batch) were extracted individually by soaking in a specific volume of methanol. Aliquots of the extracts were diluted and filtered prior to analysis by reverse phase HPLC. A comparison of the analytical sample results determined that when squeezed, only 40 percent (%) of the Phenol originally' applied to the towelette was released. However, when extracted with methanol, 97% of the Phenol was found. This suggests that the Phenol is stable and in the package but it has a preference for the cotton gauze towelette. Phenol, the active ingredient of the liquid disinfectant, sorbs (adsorbs or absorbs) to the solid phase of these commercially available disposable towelettes, and therefore the Phenol concentration in the liquid phase that is released is 50% lower in Phenol than the manufacturer's original applied concentration.