Sunflower oil |

Last updated: 24/08/2025
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(Also known as: Helianthus annuus extract) |
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 non-volatile oil extracted from sunflowers and used as an insecticide and fungicide |
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Woolly aphids; European red mite; Yellow mite; Peach mite; Plum aphid; Potato aphid; Spider mites; Powdery mildew |
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Fruit trees; Grapevines; Potatoes; Vegetables; Tomato; Cucumber; Beans; Carrots |
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Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Asterales; Family: Asteraceae |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Approved |
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Open ended |
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No |
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Yes |
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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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Sunflower oil, as a complex mixture, contains fatty acids that can exist in isomeric forms |
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Yes |
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Insecticide; Fungicide |
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Plant-derived substance; Plant oil |
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Natural; Complex mixture |
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Sunflower oil is a monounsaturated/polyunsaturated mixture of primarily oleic acid and linoleic acid group of oils and is extracted from the plant Helianthus annuus |
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Plant protection |
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Woolly aphids; European red mite; Yellow mite; Peach mite; Plum aphid; Potato aphid; Spider mites; Powdery mildew |
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Fruit trees; Grapevines; Potatoes; Vegetables; Tomato; Cucumber; Beans; Carrots |
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8001-21-6 |
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232-273-9 |
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No data |
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sunflower oil |
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EU Basic substance under Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009); UK Basic commodity substance implemented under the UK's Plant Protection Products Regulations 2011 |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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UNE |
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Not applicable |
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Light yellow-amber coloured oil mainly comprised of fatty acids (~92%) |
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Current |
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early-2000s, effectiveness scientifically recognised |
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Usually formulated as an oil-dispersion 1-3 v/v. Also available as emulsifiable concentrates, ready-to-use sprays and biopesticide blends |
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The production of sunflower oil begins with harvesting and cleaning sunflower seeds to remove dirt, debris, and husks. The seeds are then dehulled and mechanically pressed or ground into a coarse meal to release the oil. For higher yields, the meal may undergo solvent extraction using hexane. The crude oil is then refined through processes such as degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization to eliminate impurities, free fatty acids, and odours. |
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The carbon footprint of refined sunflower oil has been estimated at between 1.0 and 2.0 kg CO₂e per kg of oil. |
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-18 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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93.3 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source (closed cup) |
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0.9 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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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 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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> 5000 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
No data found |
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 ; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data |
No data found |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
No data found |
No data found |
No data found |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
No data found |
No data found |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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?Possibly, status not identified |
No data found |
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No information available |
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For fire fighting use water spray, fog, CO2, dry chemical, or alcohol resistant foam Flammable - Static charges generated by emptying package in or near flammable vapor may cause flash fire |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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Not regulated |
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sunflower oil |
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Record last updated: |
24/08/2025 |
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 |