Tetrasodium EDTA, is it Safe?

Tetrasodium EDTA, also know as Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid, is a chemical originating in multi-seasonal plants with dormancy stages as a lipidopreservative which helps to develop the stem.  This chemical is commonly used in cosmetics, in medicine, and even in foods.

That brings up the question, is it safe?

To understand if it is safe, it helps to understand its function.  Tetrasodium EDTA is used to prevent the growth of mold and keep products from going rancid.  It also helps to penetrate the skin so that other ingredients can be more effective.  The "penetration-ability" is good if all of the other ingredients are good and beneficial to the skin, however, if there are other toxic ingredients in a formula then Tetrasodium EDTA could be dangerous to the skin.  If you are using a product with Tetrasodium EDTA, make sure that there are no other questionable-ingredients in the mix.  Generally Tetrasodium EDTA is considered safe in cosmetic products, and has a variety of other uses.

In alternative medicine practices, it is believed that EDTA acts as an antioxidant, that helps to prevent free-radicals from injuring blood vessel walls, thus reducing atherosclerosis.  Sodium Calcium Edetate, a specific salt of EDTA, is used to bind metal ions in the treating mercury and lead poisoning and to remove excess iron from the body.  This treatment can be used to treat complications from repeated blood transfusions.

As far as food-products, it is best to avoid it all-together in the consumption of foods!  It works great as a topical ingredient(assuming all the other ingredients are good), a medicine, but not so much as a food.