Fate and Toxicity of Chlorinated Phenols of Environmental Implications: A Review

Chlorophenols are ubiquitous contaminants in the environment. They are used as intermediates in manufacturing agricultural chemicals such as biocides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and precursors in the synthesis of other pesticides; pharmaceuticals and dyes since the 1930s. Chlorophenols are released into the environment from several sources such as industrial waste effluent discharge, application of pesticides, insecticides, or by degradation of complex chlorinated hydrocarbons. Thermal, biological and chemical degradation of chlorophenols is responsible for the harmful metabolites which constitute public health problems. These compounds may cause histopathological alterations, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity amongst other health problems in humans and animals. Furthermore, the recalcitrant nature of chlorophenolic compounds to degradation is responsible for its persistence, and a comprehensive understanding of the fate and mobility of these compounds and their metabolites is needed for environmental monitoring and risk assessment of their pathogenicity to humans and animals. This review explores research on mobility of chlorophenols in different media, and the health implication and toxicity of chlorophenols with regards to animal, humans and the environment.