Calcium disodium EDTA is a chemical compound that can trap and remove heavy metals, both from the body and from foods, paper, shampoo and cosmetics. “It’s a particularly versatile compound,” says Christopher Cramer, PhD, director of research at Underwriters Laboratories. “It’s a great compound for removing metals from circulation.” Here we will take a closer look at how it is used, its possible risks and side effects and if it is safe. What is Calcium Disodium EDTA? First synthesized in 1935, Calcium Disodium EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetate) is a chelating agent, which is a compound that binds to and removes metals. It appears as a yellow/brown powder and has no odor, according to the European Food Safety Authority. It is often found under the brand name Calcium Disodium Versenate, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Calcium disodium EDTA acts very differently in the human body depending on whether it is injected or ingested. If it is swallowed, it is poorly absorbed, says Cramer. Your body absorbs it much better when it is injected, into a muscle or, more often, through a vein. How is it used? Calcium disodium EDTA has two main uses in human health, both of which stem from its ability to trap metals. One is to treat severe lead poisoning, while the other is as an additive in food. 1. Treatment of lead poisoning The main medical use of calcium disodium EDTA is to treat severe and life-threatening lead poisoning. “These are really high levels where people have neurological impairment and are potentially comatose,” says Kaitlyn Brown, PharmD, chief clinical officer of the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Calcium disodium EDTA is usually administered with another compound called dimercaprol (British antilewisite or BAL). While calcium disodium EDTA is good at removing lead from bone and hard tissue, BAL looks for lead in soft tissue, explains Brown. Both are typically injected into patients who are already hospitalized and who account for a small percentage of all lead poisoning cases. “These patients are often the sickest of the sick,” says Brown. Doctors typically administer the medications over a five-day period to ensure the lead is completely removed, he adds. Doctors treat less severe cases of lead poisoning, which can include symptoms such as abdominal pain. Pain, constipation, fatigue, weakness and headaches, with a medication called succimer, says Brown. Severe cases of lead poisoning develop over time as blood levels gradually increase with continued exposure to the metal. It can be inhaled or ingested and can cause developmental problems in learning and behavior, especially in young children. If you are concerned about lead poisoning at any level, call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or visit PoisonHelp.org. 2. Calcium Disodium EDTA in Foods In the food industry, Calcium Disodium EDTA seeks out and removes trace metals that accumulate in the food preparation process. Rollers, containers and other aspects of food processing involve a lot of metals, which can end up in food, says Debbie Petitpain, RDN, LDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Even small amounts of the metal can spoil foods more quickly, especially those containing fat. This process, called rancidity, occurs when fats and oils are exposed to elements such as oxygen, light, and moisture. You’ll know it when you smell it. “If the olive oil has been sitting on the counter, it can smell bad,” says Petitpain. “That’s rancidity. It’s a decomposition process when something is exposed to air, and trace metals make it worse.” Calcium disodium EDTA acts as a preservative and also helps products retain their color. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of calcium disodium EDTA in limited amounts in many different processed foods, including: Canned carbonated soft drinks Pickled cucumbers and cabbage Canned beans Distilled alcoholic beverages French dressing Mayonnaise Salad dressing Potential risks and side effects Only about 5 percent of the EDTA calcium Disodium is absorbed by the body when it is a food additive. The rest quickly leaves the body, making side effects unusual. “The amount put into food products is also much less than the amounts given for metal chelation,” says Brown. “There are no potential risks,” says Petitpain. It passes through the body quickly, he says, adding that the actual rate depends on what you eat. When injected to treat lead poisoning, however, calcium disodium EDTA can have the following side effects: 1. Kidney problems This is the main risk when the compound is taken as a medication. “It can be hard on your kidneys and you could get kidney failure,” Cramer says. The metal chelate that forms when lead-calcium disodium EDTA fuses can become trapped in the kidney tubes, but is usually reversible once therapy is stopped, says Brown. Given how serious lead poisoning can be, “it’s definitely in people’s best interest to have it if it’s indicated.” 2. Mild side effects When used as a medication, Calcium Disodium EDTA may also cause less serious side effects, such as: Muscle aches Chills Fever Headache Nausea or vomiting Dark or cloudy urine, or difficulty urinating Numbness and tingling Fatigue Fast heartbeat Allergic reactions such as hives, swelling, itching, or rash 3. Interactions According to the Cleveland Clinic, calcium disodium EDTA may interact with: Steroids such as prednisone or cortisone Insulin with zinc Zinc salts Conclusion: Is EDTA safe? When it comes to food, Calcium Disodium EDTA poses few dangers because it is present in very low amounts to begin with and because very little is absorbed by the body. “It’s present in really small concentrations, so the likelihood of you ingesting a reasonable amount and absorbing it through the intestine is extremely small,” says Cramer. It’s also been used in the food supply for a long time, adds Petitpain. If you’re concerned about food safety, you can avoid calcium disodium EDTA and other additives by staying away from processed foods and focusing instead on fruits and fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, says Petitpain. There is a possibility of kidney failure when taken as a medication, but the alternative would be severe lead poisoning, which can be fatal. “It’s a case of ‘pick your poison,'” Cramer says.
Calcium Disodium EDTA: Uses, Side Effects and Safety
