Widely used as a chelating agent, it binds strongly to metal ions, making it valuable in medicine and industrial applications. In healthcare, it is employed in MRI contrast agents to improve image clarity by stabilizing gadolinium ions and reducing toxicity. It is also used in nuclear medicine for the treatment of internal contamination with heavy metals like plutonium, americium, and curium, helping the body eliminate them more effectively.

In industrial settings, it enhances the performance of detergents and cleaning agents by sequestering metal ions that can interfere with surfactants. It is also used in water treatment to control metal ion activity and prevent scale formation. In agriculture, it helps deliver micronutrients like iron and manganese to plants in a stable, absorbable form. Additionally, it finds use in laboratory research for protein purification and enzyme stabilization by removing trace metal contaminants.