*3.2.1. Industrial waste*

Phenolic compounds have varied applications in the day‐to‐day lives of human beings. Phenol is widely used in different industries such as the chemical industry where it is used in the production of other derivatives such as alkylphenols, cresols, aniline and resins [21]. Its application in the oil and gas and coal industries is also noteworthy [1]. Phenolic resins, which are also produced from phenol, are used heavily in appliance, wood and construction indus‐ tries for various purposes. Dyes, textiles and explosive industries all depend on phenol as raw material. Other phenolic compounds such as bisphenol A serves as the raw material from which non‐polymer additives, polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins are manufactured. Nylon 6 (polycaprolactam) and some fibres (synthetic) are produced using caprolactam as raw material [22]. Phenolic compounds are also constituents of some pesticides and other insecticides. Other industrial activities such as wood distillation, use of chlorine for water disinfection, cooking processes and paper production all result in the formation of chloro‐ phenols [23]. Direct or indirect discharge of effluents and/or influents from these industrial activities into water bodies culminate in their pollution with phenolic compounds. Some of these compounds are also released into the atmosphere through vehicular activities and are finally washed into water bodies as rain water.
