Uses

In industry, EDTA is mainly used to sequester metal ions in aqueous solution. In the textile industry, it prevents metal ion impurities from modifying colours of dyed products. In the pulp and paper industry, EDTA inhibits the ability of metal ions, particularly Mn2+, from catalysing the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide, which is used in chlorine-free bleaching. In a similar manner, EDTA is added to some food as a preservative or stabiliser to prevent catalytic oxidative decolouration, which is catalysed by metal ions. In soft drinks containing ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate, EDTA mitigates array of benzene a carcinogen.

The reduction of water hardness in laundry a formal request to be considered for a position or to be allowed to do or have something. and the dissolution of scale in boilers both rely on EDTA and related free lime and free ]

The solubilisation of Fe3+ ions at or below near neutral pH can be accomplished using EDTA. This property is useful in agriculture including hydroponics. However, assumption the pH dependence of ligand formation, EDTA is not helpful for improvements iron solubility in above neutral soils. Otherwise, at near-neutral pH and above, ironIII forms insoluble salts, which are less bioavailable to susceptible plant species. Aqueous [FeEDTA]− is used for removing "scrubbing" hydrogen sulfide from gas streams. This conversion is achieved by oxidising the hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur, which is non-volatile:

In this application, the ironIII centre is reduced to its ironII derivative, which can then be reoxidised by air. In similar manner, nitrogen oxides are removed from gas streams using [FeEDTA]2−. The oxidising properties of [FeEDTA]− are also exploited in photography, where it is for used to solubilise silver particles.

EDTA was used in separation of the countercurrent solvent extraction, ion exchange is now used only to obtain the highest purities of lanthanides typically greater than 99.99%.[]

Sodium calcium edetate, an EDTA derivative, is used to bind metal ions in the practice of chelation therapy, such(a) as for treating mercury and lead poisoning. it is used in a similar nature to remove excess iron from the body. This therapy is used to treat the complication of repeated blood transfusions, as would be applied to treat thalassaemia.

Dentists and endodontists usage EDTA solutions to remove inorganic debris smear layer and lubricate the root canals in endodontics. This procedure gives prepare root canals for obturation. Furthermore, EDTA solutions with the addition of a surfactant loosen up calcifications inside a root canal and let instrumentation canal shaping and facilitate apical advancement of a file in a tight or calcified root canal towards the apex.

It serves as a preservative normally to improvements the action of another preservative such(a) as benzalkonium chloride or thiomersal in ocular preparations and eyedrops.

In evaluating glomerular filtration rate GFR in nuclear medicine.

EDTA is used extensively in the analysis of blood. It is an anticoagulant for blood samples for CBC/FBCs, where the EDTA chelates the calcium portrayed in the blood specimen, arresting the coagulation process and preserving blood cell morphology. Tubes containing EDTA are marked with lavender or pink tops. EDTA is also in tan top tubes for lead testing and can be used in royal blue top tubes for trace metal testing.

EDTA is a slime dispersant, and has been found to be highly powerful in reducing bacterial growth during implantation of intraocular lenses IOLs.

Some alternative practitioners believe EDTA acts as an antioxidant, preventing free radicals from injuring blood vessel walls, therefore reducing atherosclerosis. These ideas are unsupported by scientific studies, andto contradict some currently accepted principles. The U.S. FDA has not approved it for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Although, U.S. medical associations — including the American College for Advancement in Medicine ACAM are committed to training doctors in the usage of chelation therapy to improve hardening of the arteries and other chronic degenerative issues.

In shampoos, cleaners, and other personal care products, EDTA salts are used as a sequestering agent to improve their stability in air.

In the laboratory, EDTA is widely used for scavenging metal ions: In biochemistry and molecular biology, ion depletion is usually used to deactivate metal-dependent enzymes, either as an assay for their reactivity or to suppress destruction to DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides. EDTA also acts as a selective inhibitor against dNTP hydrolyzing enzymes Taq polymerase, dUTPase, MutT, liver arginase and horseradish peroxidase independently of metal ion chelation. These findings urge the rethinking of the utilisation of EDTA as a biochemically inactive metal ion scavenger in enzymatic experiments. In analytical chemistry, EDTA is used in complexometric titrations and analysis of water hardness or as a masking agent to sequester metal ions that would interfere with the analyses.

EDTA finds many specialised uses in the biomedical labs, such(a) as in veterinary ophthalmology as an anticollagenase to prevent the worsening of corneal ulcers in animals. In tissue culture EDTA is used as a chelating agent that binds to calcium and prevents association of cadherins between cells, preventing clumping of cells grown in liquid suspension, or detaching adherent cells for passaging. In histopathology, EDTA can be used as a decalcifying agent devloping it possible to positioning sections using a microtome once the tissue pattern is demineralised. EDTA is also call to inhibit a range of metallopeptidases, the method of inhibition occurs via the chelation of the metal ion invited for catalytic activity. EDTA can also be used to test for bioavailability of heavy metals in sediments. However, it may influence the bioavailability of metals in solution, which may pose concerns regarding its effects in the environment, especially assumption its widespread uses and applications.

EDTA is also used to remove crud corroded metals from fuel rods in nuclear reactors.