GLDA on your skin: a safety profile

What is glda?

The IUPAC name is tetrasodium glutamate diacetate.

Also known as: tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Dissolvine GL, glutamic acid diacetic acid, Atrovent Hfa.

IUPAC name

tetrasodium glutamate diacetate

CAS number

51981-21-6

Molecular formula

C10H12N2Na4O10

Molecular weight

402.22 g/mol

SMILES

CC(C)[N+]1(C2CCC1CC(C2)OC(=O)C(CO)C3=CC=CC=C3)C

PubChem CID

3746

Regulatory consensus

2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified GLDA. The classifications differ — that's the data.

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where you encounter glda

• eco-friendly detergents
• skincare products
• cleaners
• cosmetic formulations

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to GLDA:

• Citric acid — food-grade, naturally occurring
  Trade-offs: Alternative chelating agent; stability constants for target metal ions differ; biodegradability varies (EDTA poorly biodegradable, citrate fully biodegradable); downstream water treatment impact should be assessed.
  Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
• MGDA (methylglycinediacetic acid) — high biodegradability
  Trade-offs: Alternative chelating agent; stability constants for target metal ions differ; biodegradability varies (EDTA poorly biodegradable, citrate fully biodegradable); downstream water treatment impact should be assessed.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions