Ingredient Dictionary

EDTA

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is an ethylenediamine derivative, a tetracarboxylic acid and a polyamino carboxylic acid.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 0 list it before the 1% line and 21 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 21 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 21

Definition

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is an ethylenediamine derivative, a tetracarboxylic acid and a polyamino carboxylic acid. It has a role as a copper chelator, a geroprotector, a calcium chelator, an antidote and an anticoagulant. It is a conjugate acid of an EDTA(2-).

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 9G34HU7RV0 · registered name Edetic Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Binds metal ions to prevent spoilageCHELATING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: EDTA and Salts

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of EDTA, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Diammonium EDTA, Dipotassium EDTA, Disodium EDTA, HEDTA, TEA-EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tripotassium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA, and Trisodium HEDTA

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ＥＤＴＡ: 本品は、次の化学式で表されるジアミン誘導体である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

EDTAINCI이디티에이Korean label name (MFDS standard)Glycine, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis[N-(carboxymethyl)-Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 60-00-4
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 200-449-4
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID6022977
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID902977

IUPAC: 2,2',2'',2'''-(Ethane-1,2-diyldinitrilo)tetraacetic acid
Molecular formula: C10H16N2O8
Molecular weight: 292.244 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid is a colorless crystalline solid. It is slightly soluble in water. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. It is used in chemical analysis, to make detergents and cleaning compounds, and for many other uses. · CBI, Other Solid, Dry Powder
Melting point: 237 °C · 245 °C
Solubility: 1000000 mg/L at 25 °C · SOL IN SOLN OF ALKALI HYDROXIDES
Density: 0.86 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · Relative density (water = 1): 0.86
Stability: Generally, EDTA is stable as a solid and in aqueous solution. Only strong oxidizing agents can attack it chemically. The stability of EDTA-metal chelates increases according to the order: Na+ <Ca2+ < Fe2+ < Co2+ <Zn2+ < Cu2+ < Pb2+ < Fe3+ · EDTA is less stable than its salts and tends to decarboxylate when heated to 150 °C. It is stable when stored and when boiled in aqueous solution.
Dissociation constant: pKa = 0.26
Odour: odourless
Melting/freezing point: 245 ℃
Vapour pressure: 2E-12 ㎜Hg (25℃(est.))
Water solubility: 0.05 g/100㎖
Relative density: 0.086
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -3.86 (est.)
Decomposition temperature: 150 ℃
Molecular weight: 292.25

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 73 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Chelating agent28
Surfactant (surface active agent)12
pH regulating agent6
Plating agent5
Pharmaceutical (EPA)5
Soil amendments4
Binder2
Flavouring and nutrient2

7 other uses

Ion exchange agent2
Preservative2
Intermediate1
Solvent1
Anti-scaling agent1
Cleaning agent1
Processing aids not otherwise specified1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

4 skin studies and 4 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 8 studies

Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
SkinIrr2
Skin Irritation · QSAR Predicted
Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Eye Irrit. 2
Eye Irritation · Authoritative
Category 2B
Eye Irritation · Screening
Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2
Eye Irritation · Screening