Widely used in medicine, EDTA disodium salt dihydrate acts as a chelating agent to treat heavy metal poisoning, especially lead toxicity. It binds metal ions in the bloodstream, allowing them to be excreted through urine.

In laboratory settings, it is commonly added to buffers and cell culture media to control metal ion contamination, which can interfere with enzymatic reactions. Its ability to inactivate metal-dependent enzymes makes it useful in preventing degradation of biological samples. It is also used as an anticoagulant in blood collection tubes by chelating calcium ions, preventing clotting.

In the food industry, it serves as a preservative by sequestering metal ions that catalyze oxidation, helping to maintain color, flavor, and shelf life in products like dressings, canned foods, and beverages.

It is also employed in cosmetics and personal care products to enhance stability by preventing metal-induced breakdown of active ingredients. Additionally, it improves the effectiveness of antioxidants and helps maintain product clarity.

In industrial applications, it is used in detergents and cleaning solutions to soften water by binding calcium and magnesium ions, improving cleaning efficiency. It also finds use in textile processing and paper manufacturing to prevent metal-catalyzed discoloration and degradation.

Furthermore, it is utilized in agriculture as a chelating agent in liquid fertilizers to improve the absorption of micronutrients by plants, particularly in alkaline soils with high pH.