Widely used in medicine, this compound is a key chelating agent for treating heavy metal poisoning, especially lead toxicity. It binds to heavy metals in the bloodstream, allowing the body to excrete them through urine. Commonly administered intravenously, it helps reduce lead levels in patients with lead poisoning, particularly in cases involving children or occupational exposure.

In addition to its medical use, it is employed in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations to stabilize products by sequestering metal ions that can cause degradation. This improves shelf life and maintains the efficacy of creams, lotions, and liquid medications.

It is also used in some dental procedures during root canal treatments, where it helps soften dentin by removing calcium ions, aiding in effective cleaning of the root canal.

Due to its ability to inactivate metal ions, it finds use in laboratory settings, especially in cell culture and molecular biology, preventing metal-catalyzed reactions that could damage biological samples.