Baby Safety / Compounds / GLDA

Is GLDA safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human pregnant context.) Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of GLDA, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

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

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of GLDA, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of GLDA, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

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

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EU_CLP—Not ClassifiedBelow hazard classification thresholds
EU_Ecolabel——Approved for ecolabel certifications; biodegradable chelator

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 kids 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

What products contain glda?

GLDA appears in: eco-friendly detergents; skincare products; cleaners.

See GLDA in the baby app

Look up products containing glda, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 3746 — database
  2. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 51981-21-6 — reference

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →