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Safety of EDTA in Water Softeners

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, abbreviated as EDTA, is a chemical addictive used in water softening systems to remove impurities in drinking water such as copper, iron and nickel. EDTA may have adverse health effects because of the binding properties of the chemical compound.

  1. Toxicity

    • The lowest dose of EDTA to cause a toxic effect in animals is 750 milligrams per 2.2 lbs. per day, reports the National Center for Biotechnology. The binding agents in EDTA cause toxicity in cells and may cause slight damage to DNA but are not shown to cause cancer.

    Adverse Effects

    • Exposure to EDTA through the oral route produced adverse effects in animals, including developmental and reproductive effects.

    Concentration

    • The most common concentration of EDTA in water softener systems is approximately 2 percent with the use of other salts at even lower levels of concentration.

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