Paraffin oil (CAS No: 8042-47-5) (Ref: NEU 11301)

Paraffin oil (CAS No: 8042-47-5) (Ref: NEU 11301)	Last updated: 15/05/2026
(Also known as: banol 185; paraffine oil; paraffinic oil; white mineral oil; crop oil; dormant oil; horticultural oil; mineral oil)

Hazard alerts

The following Pesticide Hazard Tricolour (PHT) 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. The alerts for Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are based on applying the FAO/WHO (Type 1) and the PAN (Type II) criteria to PPDB data. Further details on the HHP indicators are given in the tables below. Neither the PHT nor the HHP hazard alerts take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus they do not represent risk.

PHT: Environmental fate	PHT: Ecotoxicity	PHT: Human health	Highly Hazardous Pesticide
Environmental fate High alert: Potential for particle bound transport: High	Ecotoxicity High alert: Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High	Human health Low alert	Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP) Type II alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Used in the field and under glass to control sucking and chewing insects on fruit and other crops. Also used as a commodity chemical and as an adjuvant.

Example pests/issues controlled

Scale; Mites including the Honeylocust mite, European red mite; Spruce spider mite; Thrips; Aphids

Example applications

Fruit; Vines; Orchards; Fruiting vegetables; Potatoes; Citrus; Ornamentals

Efficacy & activity

Efficiacy evaluated via field and lab trials

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/12/2029

GB LERAP status

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Greece/France

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

30/11/2026

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Listed in EU database

Yes

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece
✓	✓	✓	✓		✓		✓	✓
ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg
✓	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓
LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia
✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Also used in

Morocco

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Not applicable

Chemical formula

CnH₂n; Carbon Range: C₁₇-C₃₁

Canonical SMILES

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

2D structure diagram/image available?

General status

Biopesticide type

Acaricide; Insecticide; Miticide; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Penetrant; Surfactant; Adjuvant

Substance groups

Alkane hydrocarbon compound; Unclassified pesticide

Minimum active substance purity

1000 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EFSA dossier 2024: PAHs < 0.3 mg kg⁻¹

Substance origin

Semi-synthetic

Mode of action

Contact action, eggs covered by an oil film are starved of oxygen and so do not hatch.

Insecticide behavioural & physiological effects

Substance source

Paraffin oil can be extracted from coal, wood and oil shale

Uses

Crop protection

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

8042-47-5

EC number

232-455-8

CIPAC number

898

US EPA chemical code

71058-2

PubChem CID

Molecular mass (Da)

240-437

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

paraffin oil

CAS name

paraffin oil

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Type II

Yes [; ]

Other status information

May be approved via alternative legislation

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

UNM

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Colourless to pale yellow, clear viscous liquid

Related substances & organisms

paraffin oil (CAS No. 64742-54-7)

paraffin oil (CAS No. 64742-65-0)

paraffin oil (CAS No. 8012-95-1)

paraffin oil (CAS No. 97862-82-3)

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1890s, first recorded use of paraffin oils in agriculture; 1990s, first registrations in USA

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Eurol

Example products using this active

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as an oil miscible liquid

Commercial production

Paraffin oil, also known as mineral oil, is produced through a series of refining processes from crude oil. The process begins with extracting crude oil from underground reservoirs through drilling. The extracted crude oil undergoes distillation to separate it into various components based on their boiling points. Paraffin oil is derived from the heavier fractions of crude oil. This step involves using a solvent to remove waxy compounds from the paraffin, resulting in a purer form of the oil. Different solvents are used to isolate different hydrocarbon chains. The final refining process, hydro finishing, treats the paraffin with hydrogen to remove impurities and stabilise the oil, improving its colour, odour, and stability.

Impact on climate of production and use

The GHG emissions from producing paraffin oils for agriculture vary depending on the refining process, feedstock source, and energy inputs. Assuming conventional fossil fuel energy sources, crude oil extraction typically emits around 0.3–0.6 kg CO₂e per kg, refining & distillation emits approximately 0.5–1.0 kg CO₂e and 0.2–0.4 kg CO₂e is emitted by formulation & packaging processes. Therefore total emissions are likely to be in the range 1.0–2.0 kg CO₂e per kg of paraffin oil.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

2.97E-05

Low

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

250000

n-heptane

250000

p-Xylene

250000

Ethyl acetate

10000

Methanol

Melting point (°C)

-27.9

Freezing pt

Boiling point (°C)

408

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

180

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

1.26 X 10¹²

Calculated

Log P

12.1

depending on C-chain range 8.7-15.6

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.850

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

53.0

mean across various alkanes

Highly volatile. If applied directly to plants or soil, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

15.3 X 10⁰⁶

Volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

No absorption 200-400 nm

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

71.7

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (Aerobic conditions)

DT₅₀ (typical)

44.0

Moderately persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

44.0

Moderately persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

270

Persistent

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

70.7

geometric mean

Note

EU 2024 dossier: Lab studies DT₅₀ (measured) range 21.8-92.1days, DT₉₀ (measured) range149-497 days, Soils=9

Soil mineralisation

Aerobic (at 20 °C)

Anaerobic (at 20 °C)

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

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.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

Non-mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

462000

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 5000

Unknown species

Low

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

> 375

Eisenia foetida corr

Moderate

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

117.6

Eisenia foetida corr

Low

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

234

Folsomia candida corr

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

> 17640

6 plant species tested

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

> 100

Apis mellifera

Low

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

> 104.9

Apis mellifera

Low

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic as NOEDD µg bee⁻¹ day⁻¹

201

Apis mellifera

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Extended lab study

> 16760

Chrysoperla carnea

Low

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps) as Mortality ER₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Extended lab study

> 16380

Aphidius rhopalosiphi

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality ER₅₀ kg ha⁻¹, Extended lab study

> 12270

Typhlodromus pyri

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

14.3

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

0.97

Danio rerio

Moderate

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.97

Danio rerio as NOEC

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.08

Daphnia magna

High

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

0.43

Daphnia magna

Moderate

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.548

Chironomus riparius

Moderate

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (EC₅₀)

70.45

Desmodesmus subspicatus

Low

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

Regulatory Threshold Levels (RTLs)

Note: These RTLs have been calculated using the regulatory approach used in the European Union and based on ecotoxocity values in the PPDB.

Species group

RTL

Notes

Mammals

200

Worst case of acute and chronic mammals

Birds

500

Worst case of acute and chronic birds

Soil organisms

23.52

Worst case of acute and chronic earthworms

Terrestrial plants

1764

Worst case of non-target plants vegetative vigour and seedling emergence

Pollinators

Worst case of contact and oral honeybees

Arthropods

6135

Worst case of parasitic wasps and predatory mites

Fish

0.097

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic fish

Aquatic invertebrates

0.0008

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic plants

7.045

Worst case of free-floating plants, rooted plants, acute and chronic algae

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

> 2000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 5.00

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

Dermal penetration studies (%)

25-70

poor dermal penetration concentration dependent

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

No unacceptable exposure for bystanders is foreseen

Occupational

No unacceptable exposure for operators and other farm workers is foreseen with the use of appropriate PPE/PPC

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Faecal (60-80%) and urinary (10-20%) excretion

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Possible liver & lumph node toxicant
Suspected of causing genetic defects
May damage vital organs
Laxative

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable
Not explosive or oxidising

CLP classification 2013

Health: H304, H315, H319, H341, H371
Handling: H226
Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

Not listed

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

paraffin oil (CAS No: 8042-47-5)

French

German

Paraffinol

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	15/05/2026
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

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