EDTA-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

Abstract

EDT A is used at low levels in some fabric washing powders as a bleach stabiliser. It is also used in soaps as a stabiliser and in some liquid products to enhance the action ofpreservatives. EDTA has, however, many other industrial applications and its use in detergents accounts for only approximately 20% of the total use. Ca1culations based on the worst case estimates of sewage flows suggest that the concentrations in European sewage efHuents of EDT A arising from detergents use should be in the range of 100-300 μg L-1 and in receiving waters 10-30 μg L-1. Where industrial discharges are also present, total concentrations ofEDTA could of course be considerably higher. In many cases however, the concentrations of EDTA actually found in European rivers (0-60 μg L-1) are well below the range predicted from the combined industrial and detergent uses.