Pine oil |

Last updated: 24/08/2025
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(Also known as: pinus 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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An extract from Pinus spp. used as a non-selective contact herbicide and as a mild disinfectant in public health situations |
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General weed control particularly soft non-woody species; General disingectant; Bacteria; Viruses |
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Non-food areas; Domestic gardens; Public areas |
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As a herbicide in an agricultrual situation field studies have shown control ratings across a range of common agrcultural weeds of around 10%. Whilst initial visiual effects look promising regrowth is rapid. Efficacy is best for soft, non-woody, shallow rooted weeds especially as seedlings. |
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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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No |
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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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Pine oil, as a complex mixture, contains isomeric compounds. The most notable are the positional isomers alpha-terpineol and beta-terpineol, structural isomers alpha-pinene and beta-pinene as well as limonene that exists as stereoisomers. |
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C₁₀H₁₈O |
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Yes |
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Herbicide; Other substance |
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Disinfectant; Antiseptic |
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Plant-derived substance; Plant oil |
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approx 9% |
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Natural; Complex mixture |
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Contact, corrosive |
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Pine oil is an essential oil obtained from a variety of species of pine, particularly Pinus sylvestris |
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Hard surfaces; Domestic gardens; Public health |
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General weed control particularly soft non-woody species; General disingectant; Bacteria; Viruses |
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Non-food areas; Domestic gardens; Public areas |
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8002-09-03 |
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067002 |
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154.0 |
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1-methyl-4-isopropyl-1-cyclo-hexen-8-ol |
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Widely used as a disinfectant. Approved as biocide in many countries including EU & UK |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Colourless to pale yellow oily liquid comprised of various botanical chemicals including alpha-terpineol (~30%), linalool (~24%), limolene (~17%) and anethole (~15%) |
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Current |
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1976, registered USA; 1988, cancelled USA |
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- Certified Organics Ltd.
- BFA organic
- Kurman Vo. Ltd
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- Interceptor
- Pine oil 80
- Weed Blitz
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Usually formulated as an aqueous emulsion |
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Commercial production of pine oil involves extracting essential oil from pine trees, typically from needles, stumps, or sap, using steam distillation, the most common and environmentally friendly method. In this process, raw pine material is placed in a still where high-temperature steam vaporises volatile compounds, which are then condensed and separated from water to yield pine oil. Alternative methods like solvent extraction and microwave-assisted extraction are also used for specialised applications. |
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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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5.0 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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201 |
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65 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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5.01 X 1001 |
Calculated |
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1.7 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low |
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0.952 |
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Literature states that pine oil breaks down completely within 3 days |
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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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2700 |
Rat |
Low |
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> 2250 |
Colinus virginianus |
Low |
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18.4 |
Oncorhynchus mykiss |
Moderate |
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10.0 |
Oncorhynchus mykiss |
Moderate |
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24.5 |
Daphnia magna |
Moderate |
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11 |
Daphnia magna |
Low |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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2700 |
Rat |
Low |
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2000 |
Rat |
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> 3.67 |
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 |
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 |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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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Flammable IMDG Transport Hazard Class 3 |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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UN1272 |
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Packaging Group III (minor danger) |
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pine 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 |