Where It Comes From
Naturally present in rocks and some groundwater; manufactured for batteries, glass/ceramics, and medicines [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Taking lithium medication; drinking water with natural lithium; workplace dust or skin/eye contact in mining, refining, batteries, or ceramics; accidental pill ingestion by children [1][2][3].
Why It Matters
Too much can cause nausea, diarrhea, tremor, confusion; long-term high levels may damage kidneys and affect thyroid; dehydration or drug interactions can raise lithium levels [1][2].
Who Is at Risk
Workers handling lithium salts; people on lithium therapy (narrow therapeutic range); those with kidney disease; pregnant people and infants; communities with lithium‑rich water [1][2][3].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Use lithium only as prescribed and get regular blood tests; keep medicines locked away; at work, control dust, use PPE, and wash up; review local water reports; recycle batteries/e‑waste properly [1][2][3].
References
- [1]ATSDR. ToxFAQs for Lithium. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
- [2]WHO. Lithium in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality. World Health Organization.
- [3]CDC/NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Lithium carbonate. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.