HealthCareGuru

Use of EDTA and its slowly wash out under many environmental conditions that has led to its status as the most abundant anthropogenic compound in many European surface waters. River concentrations in Europe are reported as 10-100 µg/L, and lake concentrations are in the 1-10 µg/L range. EDTA concentrations in U.S. groundwater receiving wastewater effluent discharge have been reported at 1-72 µg/L, EDTA was found to be an effective tracer for effluent.

EDTA is not washed out during conventional wastewater treatment. However, an alternative of pH and sludge residence time can result in almost full mineralization of EDTA. A variety of microorganisms have been isolated from water, soils, sediments and sludges that are able to completely mineralize EDTA as a source of carbon, nitrogen and energy.

Recalcitrant chelating agents such as EDTA are an environmental concern because of their resistance and strong metal chelating properties. The presence of chelating agents in high concentrations in wastewaters and surface waters has the potential to mobilize heavy metals from river sediments and treated sludges. Low concentrations of chelating agents may either decrease plankton or algae growth, while high concentrations always inhibit activity. Chelating agents are nontoxic to many forms of life on acute exposure. EDTA at high concentrations is toxic to bacteria due to oral chelation of metals in the outer membrane. EDTA intake at high concentrations by mammals changes excretion of metals and can affect cell membrane permeability.

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