Dibutyl phosphate is be used as a precursor for antistatics, a mold release agent in polyurethane applications, and a non-volatile acidic catalyst in organic media. It is also used in many industrial applications as a surfactant because of its exceptional properties of wetting, emulsification, lubrication, coupling activity and detergency. Biologically Dibutyl phosphate is used as a diagnostic urine marker for exposure to certain toxic alkyl-phosphate compounds found in insecticides and industrial lubricants.

Phenol is an industrially important organic compound, produced on a large scale and used as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds. Phenol and its vapors are corrosive to the eyes, the skin, and the respiratory tract. The corrosive effect on skin and mucous membranes is due to a protein-degenerating effect. In medicine, phenol is used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. Phenol is also used as an oral analgesic or anesthetic in products such as Chloraseptic to treat sore throat pain, sore mouth, pain associated with canker sores and minor mouth irritation. Additionally, phenol and its related compounds are used in surgical ingrown toenail treatment, a process termed phenolization.