Abstract: Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is widely used in industry and daily life as insecticides, antiseptics and preservatives which may abundantly accumulate in organisms. Due to its high toxicity, long persistence and slow degradation, extensive usage and improper treatment of PCP can cause serious environmental pollution. PCP has already been detected in water, soil and animals and plants in contaminated areas. It can enter human body through skin, respiratory tract or food chain enrichment, generating toxicity and a series of negative effects. Therefore, the potential toxicity of PCP has raised great concern. However, the data of population exposure to PCP is limited. Considering the wide presence potential toxic effects of PCP, further research should be focused on its exposure levels on humans, toxic effects and toxicity mechanism.