Number
249-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of bulk, large scale chemicals (including petroleum products)
Function
Other
Process
Other
Product category
other
Application
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
Abstract
Ethylenediaminetetraacetate acid (EDTA) is used as a complexing agent in many chemical products. It is persistent and can remobilize metal ions form sediments in the environment. Ethylenediamine -N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) is a structural isomer of EDTA, less hazardous for the environment and has even better performance characteristics than EDTA depending on the application.
Substituted substances
EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
CAS No. 60-00-4 EC No. 200-449-4 Index No. 607-429-00-8
Chemical group
Acetic acid
Classification: hazard statements
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Alternative Substances
EDDS (ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid)
CAS No. 144538-83-0 EC No. Index No.
Chemical group
Sodium compounds; succinate
Reliability of information
Evidence of assessment: there is evidence of an official (positive) assessment of the substitution
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
PBT
vPvB
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: EDTA is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Alternative substance: The alternative EDDS is readily biodegradable. It is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).
Description of Substitution
A good degradability of chemicals is an important principle of sustainable chemistry. The connection between the chemical structure and properties is of great importance here. EDTA is used as a complexing agent in many chemical products. More than 40% of EDTA is not degraded in the process of sewage treatment plants and can remobilize metal ions from sediments in the environment. EDDS is a constitutional isomer of EDTA. It has four stereoisomeric forms:S,S- (25%), R,R- (25%) and S,R- (50%). The S,S-isomer of EDDS, based on the naturally occurring amino acid L-aspartic acid, is readily biodegradable.However, the S,R-isomer is partly degradable and the R,R-isomer persistent. According to literature data EDDS showed good chelation properties towards heavy metal ions. It is also characterized by better extraction efficiency in the ex-situ washing tests and phytoextraction process of heavy metals from contaminated soils than EDTA.
Case/substitution evaluation
EDTA can be substituted with a readily biodegradable alternative.
State of implementation
In use
Date and place of implementation
In 2002 EDDS production achieved 10.000 tons in UK, EU.
Availability ofAlternative
On the market
Type of information supplier
Research
Contact
https://www.leuphana.de/institute/inuc.html https://www.umcs.pl/en/faculty-of-chemistry,2650.htm
Further information
Research article from Dorota Ko?ody?ska here
Type of publication and availability
Free available
Publication source: author, company, institute, year
Ko?ody?ska D. (2011) Chelating Agents of a New Generation as an Alternative to Conventional Chelators for Heavy Metal Ions Removal from Different Waste Waters. Expanding Issues in Desalination, p. 339 370
link
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021