Widely used in medicine to treat heavy metal poisoning, particularly lead toxicity, by binding to metal ions and facilitating their excretion through urine. Commonly added to blood collection tubes to prevent clotting by chelating calcium ions, preserving samples for laboratory testing. Employed in cosmetics and personal care products to enhance stability by neutralizing metal contaminants that can accelerate product degradation. Frequently used in industrial water treatment to sequester metal ions that cause scaling and corrosion in pipelines and boilers. Applied in agriculture to correct micronutrient deficiencies, especially iron, in plants by keeping essential metals soluble and available for uptake. Used in food preservation to extend shelf life by inhibiting metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions that cause rancidity and discoloration.