Chelation therapy is used as a treatment for acute mercury, iron (including in cases of thalassemia), arsenic, lead, uranium, plutonium and other forms of toxic metal poisoning. The chelating agent may be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or orally, depending on the agent and the type of poisoning.

One example of successful EDTA chelation therapy is the case of Harold McCluskey, a nuclear worker who became badly contaminated with americium in 1976. He was treated with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) over many years, removing 41 MBq (1.1 mCi) of americium from his body. His death, 11 years later, was from unrelated causes.

Cilantro

Cilantro (coriander) has been tested in mice, and is present in numerous alternative medications. Although cilantro was widely described as a chelator of lead, mercury or other heavy metals in internet literature, and is often used as such, there is little research about such claims.

Heart disease

Some alternative practitioners use EDTA chelation to treat hardening of the arteries. The use of EDTA chelation therapy as a treatment for coronary artery disease is currently being studied by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, but no claims or findings are expected before 2009.

Autism

Based on the speculation that heavy metal poisoning may trigger the symptoms of autism, some parents have turned to alternative medicine practitioners who provide EDTA chelation therapy. However, the only evidence to support this belief is anecdotal. There is strong epidemiological evidence that refutes links between environmental triggers, in particular thimerosal-containing vaccines, and the onset of autistic symptoms. No scientific data supports the claim that the mercury in the vaccine preservative thiomersal causes autism or its symptoms, and there is no scientific support for chelation therapy as a treatment for autism.

[via Chelation therapy - Wikipedia]