EDTA

In industry, EDTA is mainly used to sequester metal ions in aqueous solution. In the , it prevents metal ion impurities from modifying colours of dyed products. In the industry, EDTA inhibits the ability of metal ions, especially Mn2+, from catalyzing the of , which is used in "chlorine-free bleaching." In similar manner, EDTA is added to some food as a or stabilizer to prevent catalytic oxidative decolouration, which is catalyzed by metal ions. In personal care products, it is added to to improve their stability toward air. In containing and , EDTA mitigates formation of (a ).