Dithionite is used in conjunction with complexing agents (for example, citric acid) to reduce iron(III) oxy-hydroxide into soluble iron(II) compounds and to remove amorphous iron(III)-bearing mineral phases in soil analyses (selective extraction).
The decomposition of dithionite produces reduced species of sulfur that can be very aggressive for the corrosion of steel and stainless steel. Thiosulfate () is known to induce pitting corrosion, whereas sulfide (S, HS) is responsible for stress corrosion cracking (SCC).