Balsam fir oil |

Last updated: 25/08/2025
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(Also known as: Fir needle oil) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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A biochemical substance used as a rodent repellent |
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Rodents |
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Used in non-living spaces indoors and in enclosed spaces outdoors |
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Class: Pinopsida; Order: Pinales; Family: Pinaceae |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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Balsam fir oil contains various isomeric compounds. It is a complex mixture of naturally occurring organic compounds, many of which are monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes that can exist in multiple isomeric forms. These include the structural isomers alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, and delta-3-carene that can exist in stereoisomeric forms. |
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No |
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Semiochemical |
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Plant-derived substance; Plant oil |
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Natural; Complex mixture |
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Non-toxic mode of action. Odorant repellent |
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Fir tree (Abies balsamea ) needles |
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Repellent |
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Rodents |
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Used in non-living spaces indoors and in enclosed spaces outdoors |
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All |
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8021-28-1 |
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129035 |
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balsam fir oil |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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A pale yellow to amber liquid with a fresh woodsy scent extracted from fir needles. It is comprised of beta-pinene (~30%), delta-3-carene (~20%), alpha-pinene (~15%) plus other monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes |
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Current |
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2006, first registered USA |
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Usually formulated as granules or ready-to-use spray |
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Commercial production of balsam fir oil involves harvesting the needles and twigs of the Abies balsamea tree, followed by steam distillation to extract the essential oil. |
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Data for specific plant oils is scarce. However, from publicly available data the carbon footprint of plant oils has been estimated at between 1.0 and 4.0 kg CO₂e per kg of oil. This depends on the plant oil content, agricultural practices and processing methods used. |
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43.3 |
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0.867 |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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> 5000 |
Rat |
Low |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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> 5000 |
Rat |
Low |
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5000 |
Rat |
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> 2.09 |
Rat |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
?Possibly, status not identified |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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No information available |
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Not explosive or oxidising |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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balsam fir oil |
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Record last updated: |
25/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |