At a glance
| Chemical family | Chlorophenol (wood preservative / biocide) |
| CAS number | 87-86-5 |
| Classification | IARC Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans); Stockholm Convention POP (Annex A, 2015 listing) |
| Where you encounter it | Wood preservative for timber/bed frames; textile anti-mold treatment; imported textiles stored with PCP-treated materials |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Treated wooden bed frames, cotton/textile storage, and imported bedding products |
Regulatory & certification status
Where pentachlorophenol stands across the major regulatory systems. Each row links to the governing instrument; where a jurisdiction has no specific measure, that is stated plainly rather than left blank.
| Stockholm Convention | Listed under Annex A (elimination) in 2015. Regulatory |
| EU REACH | Banned; concentration limit >5 mg/kg (5 ppm) in substances and mixtures. Regulatory |
| US EPA | Most registrations cancelled (2022 final cancellation order); limited utility-pole exemption. Regulatory |
| California Prop 65 | Listed as a carcinogen. Regulatory |
| OEKO-TEX STD 100 | Restricted — 0.05 ppm (baby) / 0.5 ppm (other product classes). Industry |
What it is
Pentachlorophenol is a chlorophenol that was widely used as a wood preservative (protecting against fungal decay and termites) and as an anti-mold agent on textiles during storage and shipping. IARC classifies it as a Group 1 carcinogen. Peer-reviewed — IARC Monographs Vol. 117 It was added to the Stockholm Convention in 2015 as a persistent organic pollutant targeted for elimination. Regulatory — Stockholm Convention
How it relates to the bedroom
Treated wooden bed frames
PCP appears in the bedroom primarily through treated wooden bed frames and furniture. Older pressure-treated wood can continue to off-gas PCP for years. Most modern bed frames use untreated wood or alternative preservatives, but older frames and some imported products may still contain PCP-treated components. Indoor air and dust in homes with PCP-treated wood show measurable levels. Inferred — from wood-treatment persistence data and indoor air studies
Textile storage and shipping
PCP was also applied to cotton and textile bales during storage and shipping to prevent mold, meaning imported bedding products may carry residues. This pathway is less common in regulated markets today, but it persists in global supply chains — particularly for unbranded or low-cost textiles that bypass certification screening.
The US EPA cancellation
In 2022, the US EPA issued a final cancellation order for remaining PCP wood-preservative registrations, with a narrow exemption for existing utility-pole treatments. Regulatory — US EPA 2022 This means new PCP-treated wood products are no longer entering the market, but existing treated wood — including bed frames and structural timber installed decades ago — remains in use.
What the research says
- Group 1 carcinogen. IARC classified PCP and some related compounds as carcinogenic to humans in 2019, based on sufficient evidence linking PCP exposure to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Peer-reviewed — IARC Monographs Vol. 117
- Stockholm Convention POP. Listed under Annex A in 2015 for global elimination. Regulatory
- Textile screening. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 restricts PCP at 0.05 ppm for baby textiles and 0.5 ppm for other product classes — among the strictest limits for any chlorophenol. Industry — OEKO-TEX
What helps reduce it
Check the age and treatment of wooden bed frames. If your bed frame predates the 1990s and is made of pressure-treated wood, it may contain PCP. Sealing or replacing old treated-wood components is the most direct control.
Buy certified textiles. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 screens for PCP at strict limits. For imported bedding, choosing certified products is the most practical way to avoid residues from textile-storage treatments.
Ventilate. PCP can volatilize slowly from treated wood. Fresh-air exchange reduces indoor air concentrations.
Dust removal. PCP from treated wood settles into household dust. Regular HEPA vacuuming and wet-wiping reduce the dust reservoir.
What does NOT help
- Assuming "new" means "safe." PCP is no longer applied to new products in most regulated markets, but it persists in existing treated wood and in global textile supply chains that do not follow the same standards.
- Surface cleaning treated wood. PCP is pressure-impregnated deep into the wood, not just on the surface. Wiping a treated bed frame does not remove the source — it only captures what has already migrated to the surface.
Open research questions
- The rate of PCP off-gassing from aged pressure-treated wood in typical bedroom conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation). Speculation
- The prevalence of PCP residues on imported textiles in markets without OEKO-TEX or equivalent screening. Speculation
Citations
- IARC (2019). Pentachlorophenol and some related compounds — Group 1 carcinogen. IARC Monographs Vol. 117. Peer-reviewed
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants — Pentachlorophenol listing, Annex A (2015). Regulatory
- US EPA (2022). Pentachlorophenol — Final cancellation order for remaining wood-preservative uses. Regulatory
Frequently asked questions
Can my wooden bed frame release pentachlorophenol?
If the wood was pressure-treated with PCP — common for outdoor and structural timber through the 1980s — it can release PCP vapour for years. Most modern bed frames use untreated wood or alternative preservatives, but older frames and some imported products may still contain PCP-treated components.
Is pentachlorophenol still found in textiles?
PCP is largely phased out of textile treatment in regulated markets, but it can appear as a residue on imported goods — particularly cotton and natural fibres stored or shipped using PCP as a mold inhibitor. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 screens for it at strict limits (0.05 ppm for baby textiles). Buying certified products is the most practical control.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-07. If you find a factual error, contact us.