Used primarily as a chelating agent in various industries, it effectively binds and removes metal ions from solutions. In medicine, it is employed to treat heavy metal poisoning, such as lead or mercury, by forming stable complexes that are excreted from the body. In the food industry, it acts as a preservative to prevent spoilage by sequestering metal ions that catalyze oxidation. Additionally, it is utilized in water treatment to soften hard water by removing calcium and magnesium ions. In laboratory settings, it is a key component in buffer solutions and cell culture media to maintain stability and prevent metal ion interference. Its ability to chelate metals also makes it valuable in industrial cleaning processes and in the stabilization of cosmetic products.