What Is Sodium Edta?
Sodium EDTA refers to the disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. It is a synthetic amino acid commonly used as a chelating agent, meaning that it binds to dissolved metal ions.
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Chemistry
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Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, (HO₂CCH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂N(CH₂CO₂H)₂, contains four acidic hydrogen atoms. When two of the hydrogen atoms are replaced with sodium ions, the compound is referred to as the disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na₂EDTA).
After being dissolved in water, EDTA is capable of binding to metal ions in the solution. The bonding interactions between the EDTA and metal ions are extremely strong.
Manufacture
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EDTA is commercially manufactured from ethylenediamine, formaldehyde and sodium cyanide. Annual consumption in the United States exceeds 50,000 tons.
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Applications
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EDTA is used in the food industry as a sequestrant. It binds with metals in foods and beverages and renders them innocuous.
Medicinally, disodium EDTA is used in chelation therapy purportedly to reduce plaque deposits in arteries. Several studies evaluating its effectiveness have concluded that it is no more effective than a placebo, and the American Heart Association recommends against its use. Calcium disodium EDTA (CaNa₂EDTA) is, however, effective in treating heavy-metal (especially lead) poisoning, for which it is administered intravenously.
In chemistry, disodium EDTA is used to analyze metals by complexometric titration.
Toxicity
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Although rare, documented side effects of EDTA chelation therapy include heart failure, kidney damage and low blood cell counts.
Environmental Concerns
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EDTA and its various salts biodegrade slowly, which has led to its accumulation in surface waters. The long-term effects of EDTA's persistence in the environment are not yet known.
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References
- American Heart Association: Questions and Answers About Chelation Therapy
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Q&A: The NIH trial of EDTA Chelation Therapy for Coronary Artery Disease
