Peppermint oil |

Last updated: 25/08/2025
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(Also known as: menta piperita extract; mentha piperita extract; pepperrmint 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 complex oil comprised of pulegone, menthone, limonene, menthol and menthofuran amongst many other compounds, obtained from the peppermint plant which has insect repellency activity against a wide range of insects and small rodents |
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Mosquitoes; Spiders; Common houseflies; Mice; Mites; Grain store pests; Ants; Lice; Moths |
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Public plants; Residential houses; Crop storage; Grain stores |
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Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Lamiales; Family: Lamiaceae |
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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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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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Peppermint oil is a complex mixture of multiple organic compounds, many of which exhibit isomerism. These include menthol which exists as L-menthol (natural) and D-menthol (synthetic); menthone that exhibits stereoisomerism and keto-enol tautomerism existing as (−)-menthone and (+)-menthone; and limonene that demonstrates geometric isomerism. |
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No |
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Semiochemical; Insecticide; Larvicide; Other substance |
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Food additive; Aromatherapy agent; Bactericide |
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Plant-derived substance; Plant oil |
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Natural; Complex mixture |
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Repllency due to intense smell |
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Oil etracted from the peppermint plant (Mentha piperita) |
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Domestic pest control; Harvest protection |
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Mosquitoes; Spiders; Common houseflies; Mice; Mites; Grain store pests; Ants; Lice; Moths |
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Public plants; Residential houses; Crop storage; Grain stores |
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84082-70-2 |
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8006-90-4 |
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282-015-4 |
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500740 |
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peppermint extract |
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FEMA=2848; FLAVIS=16.042; USEPA minimum risk pesticide; EU Low-risk active substance |
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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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Oily, viscous liquid as the concentrate with strong minty odour. It is usually a pale yellow colour. |
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Current |
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early-2000s, effectiveness scientifically proven; 2019, biocide approval |
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- Seely Mint, USA
- Cascade Pacific Essential Oils, USA
- Mousemesh, UK
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- MouseMesh Peppermint Oil
- Dust to Dust
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Available in a variety of formulations including essential oils, oil infused granules; emulsifiable concentrates |
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Commercial production of peppermint oil begins with the cultivation of Mentha × piperita. After harvesting, the plant material is subjected to steam distillation, a process where steam passes through the chopped leaves and stems, vaporising the volatile oils. These vapours are then condensed and collected, separating the essential oil from water. The resulting peppermint oil is filtered and sometimes rectified (redistilled) to improve purity and aroma. |
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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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176 |
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67 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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0.895 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Readily biodegradable |
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180 |
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Persistent |
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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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2426 |
Rat |
Low |
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18.4 |
Pimephales promelas |
Moderate |
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15.6 |
Danio rerio |
Moderate |
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2.7 |
Daphnia magna |
Moderate |
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2.61 |
Unknown species |
Moderate |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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2426 |
Rat |
Low |
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5000 |
Rabbit |
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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 ; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data |
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 |
?Possibly, status not identified |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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?Possibly, status not identified |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
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Used as a natural herbal remedy for gastic irregularities |
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Flammable liquid |
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Handling: H227 Health: H303, H304, H315, H317, H319 Environment H401, H412 |
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Not regulated |
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peppermint 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 |