EDTA solution is widely used in various industries due to its chelating properties. In medicine, it is employed as an anticoagulant in blood collection tubes, preventing blood clotting by binding calcium ions. It is also used in chelation therapy to treat heavy metal poisoning, where it binds to toxic metals like lead and mercury, facilitating their excretion from the body.

In the food industry, EDTA is added to preserve color, flavor, and texture by sequestering metal ions that can catalyze oxidation or spoilage. It is commonly found in canned foods, dressings, and beverages.

In water treatment, EDTA helps control water hardness by binding to calcium and magnesium ions, preventing scale formation in boilers and pipelines. It is also used in detergents and cleaning products to enhance their effectiveness by softening water.

In laboratories, EDTA is a key component in buffer solutions for DNA and protein analysis, as it inhibits enzymatic reactions by chelating metal ions required for enzyme activity. Additionally, it is used in cosmetics to stabilize formulations and prevent degradation caused by metal contaminants.