Etidronate disodium, also known as SM-5600 or 1-hydroxyethane 1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), is a bisphosphonate used in detergents, water treatment, cosmetics and pharmaceutical treatment. Etidronic acid is a chelating agent and may be added to bind or, to some extent, counter the effects of substances, such as calcium, iron or other metal ions, which may be discharged as a component of grey wastewater and could conceivably contaminate groundwater supplies. As a phosphonate it has corrosion inhibiting properties on unnalloyed steel. Etidronic acid also acts to retard rancidification and oxidation of fatty acids.

Providing storage is as stated on the product vial and the vial is kept tightly sealed, the product can be stored for up to 24 months.
Wherever possible, you should prepare and use solutions on the same day. However, if you need to make up stock solutions in advance, we recommend that you store the solution as aliquots in tightly sealed vials at -20°C. Generally, these will be useable for up to one month. Before use, and prior to opening the vial we recommend that you allow your product to equilibrate to room temperature for at least 1 hour.