Turpentine and turpentine oil
Learn about turpentine and turpentine oil.
On this page
- About turpentine and turpentine oil
- Safety of turpentine and turpentine oil
- What we're doing
- What you can do
About turpentine and turpentine oil
Turpentine and turpentine oil come from evergreen trees.
They may be used to flavour foods. They are also found in natural health products, cosmetics, paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, and automotive products.
These include:
- car wax
- shoe polish
- turpentine solvents
- paint and varnish thinner
- laundry and dishwashing products
- cleaning and furniture care products
Safety of turpentine and turpentine oil
Under Canada's Chemicals Management Plan, we review and manage the potential risks that chemical substances can pose to Canadians and the environment. The first stage of the review process is a draft chemical risk assessment.
We have completed the draft assessment of turpentine and turpentine. We are proposing that certain exposures to turpentine and turpentine oil may affect the liver and kidney. They include:
- topical medicated vapour products with 2% or more turpentine oil
- topical muscle and joint pain relief products with 25% or more turpentine oil
- short-term skin contact and inhalation of paint thinners and paint removers composed of 100% turpentine
We are also proposing that:
- turpentine and turpentine oil are not harmful to the environment
- exposure to turpentine and turpentine oil does not pose a risk to your health from the following sources:
- food
- shoe polish, furniture wax and car wax
- laundry, cleaning and dishwashing products
- environmental sources, such as soil, water and air
What we're doing
Our assessment is not yet final. We are continuing to evaluate the potential risk posed by turpentine and turpentine oil before we publish our final conclusion. This includes:
- tracking new information on exposures or hazards
- asking the public to comment on our draft assessment
- reviewing and using this information to help shape our final assessment
Currently, there are restrictions on the use of:
- turpentine in toys
- turpentine oil as a medicinal ingredient in counter-irritant products, such as muscle and joint pain relief creams
If the proposed health effects are confirmed in the final assessment, we will consider:
- measures to reduce exposures to turpentine and turpentine oil in paint thinners and removers, such as:
- developing regulations
- voluntary measures developed with industry
- requiring industry to notify and provide details when proposing to use, import or manufacture turpentine or turpentine oil for a significant new activity
- adding turpentine and turpentine oil to the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database
What you can do
Consumers are reminded to:
- read product labels and follow all safety warnings and directions
- labels on cosmetics, natural health products and non-prescription drugs must list all ingredients
- contact the manufacturer if you are unsure if your product contains turpentine or turpentine oil
- follow the manufacturer's directions to dispose of the product safely
- provide any comments on our draft assessment during the 60-day public comment period
If you are exposed to turpentine or turpentine oil at work, talk to your employer and occupational health and safety (OHS) official about:
- relevant laws
- safe handling and storage practices
- requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
For more information
- Measuring your exposure to chemicals
- Canada's systems for addressing chemicals
- Overview of the Chemicals Management Plan