1. Agriculture: Over 80%–90% of global production is used to manufacture phosphate fertilizers like MAP and DAP.
2. Food & Beverage: Used as a food additive (E338) to provide a tangy flavor and act as a preservative in soft drinks (like colas) and jams.
3. Rust Removal: It acts as a rust converter, reacting with iron oxide to form ferric phosphate, which can be easily removed or used as a protective coating.
4. Medical & Dental: Used in dentistry as an etching solution to clean and roughen teeth before applying fillings or braces.
5. Industrial: Employed in fuel cells, water treatment, and as a pH adjuster in cosmetics and skincare products.
Safety and Haza