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Is lithium dangerous in water

Updated: 8/10/2023
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13y ago

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Yes, Lithium can be quite toxic.

  • Neurologic effects of lithium toxicity include tremors, lethargy, confusion, seizures, and coma.
  • GI effects of lithium toxicity include nausea, vomiting, crampy abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
  • Mild-to-moderate lithium toxicity is characterized by tremor, weakness, and mild confusion.
  • Moderate-to-severe lithium toxicity is characterized by altered mental status, muscle fasciculations, stupor, seizures, coma, hyperreflexia, and cardiovascular collapse.
References
  1. Linakis JG, Savitt DL, Wu TY, Lockhart GR, Lacouture PG. Use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate for reduction of plasma lithium concentrations after chronic lithium dosing in mice. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1998;36(4):309-13. [Medline].

  2. Menghini VV, Albright RC Jr. Treatment of lithium intoxication with continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. Am J Kidney Dis. Sep 2000;36(3):E21. [Medline].

  3. van Bommel EF, Kalmeijer MD, Ponssen HH. Treatment of life-threatening lithium toxicity with high-volume continuous venovenous hemofiltration. Am J Nephrol. Sep-Oct 2000;20(5):408-11. [Medline].

  4. Alexander MP, Farag YM, Mittal BV, Rennke HG, Singh AK. Lithium toxicity: a double-edged sword. Kidney Int. Jan 2008;73(2):233-7. [Medline].

  5. Aral H, Vecchio-Sadus A. Toxicity of lithium to humans and the environment--a literature review. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. Jul 2008;70(3):349-56. [Medline].

  6. Burkhart, K. Lithium. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Sixth Edition. Mosby Elsevier; 2006:2442-2444.

  7. Chen KP, Shen WW, Lu ML. Implication of serum concentration monitoring in patients with lithium intoxication. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. Feb 2004;58(1):25-9. [Medline].

  8. Eyer F, Pfab R, Felgenhauer N, et al. Lithium poisoning: pharmacokinetics and clearance during different therapeutic measures. J Clin Psychopharmacol. Jun 2006;26(3):325-30. [Medline].

  9. Freeman MP, Freeman SA. Lithium: clinical considerations in internal medicine. Am J Med. Jun 2006;119(6):478-81. [Medline].

  10. Giles JJ, Bannigan JG. Tetatogenic and developmental effects of lithium. Curr Pharm Des. 2006;12(12):1531-41.

  11. Gitlin M. Lithium and the kidney: an updated review. Drug Saf. Mar 1999;20(3):231-43. [Medline].

  12. Greller, H. Lithium. In: Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. Eighth. McGraw-Hill; 2006:1052-1058.

  13. Groleau G. Lithium toxicity. Emerg Med Clin North Am. May 1994;12(2):511-31. [Medline].

  14. Hsu CH, Liu PY, Chen JH, Yeh TL, Tsai HY, Lin LJ. Electrocardiographic abnormalities as predictors for over-range lithium levels. Cardiology. 2005;103(2):101-6. [Medline].

  15. Juurlink DN, Mamdani MM, Kopp A, Rochon PA, Shulman KI, Redelmeier DA. Drug-induced lithium toxicity in the elderly: a population-based study. J Am Geriatr Soc. May 2004;52(5):794-8. [Medline].

  16. Lee DC, Klachko MN. Falsely elevated lithium levels in plasma samples obtained in lithium containing tubes. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1996;34(4):467-9. [Medline].

  17. Ng YW, Tiu SC, Choi KL, Chan FK, Choi CH, Kong PS. Use of lithium in the treatment of thyrotoxicosis. Hong Kong Med J. Aug 2006;12(4):254-9. [Medline].

  18. Rosenqvist M, Bergfeldt L, Aili H, Mathe AA. Sinus node dysfunction during long-term lithium treatment. Br Heart J. Oct 1993;70(4):371-5. [Medline].

  19. Scharman EJ. Methods used to decrease lithium absorption or enhance elimination. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1997;35(6):601-8. [Medline].

  20. Timmer RT, Sands JM. Lithium intoxication. J Am Soc Nephrol. Mar 1999;10(3):666-74. [Medline].

  21. Zimmerman JL. Poisonings and overdoses in the intensive care unit: general and specific management issues. Crit Care Med. Dec 2003;31(12):2794-801. [Medline].

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13y ago
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15y ago

Raw lithium is very harmful to the body but some lithium compound can be very beneficial to the body. Lithium belongs to the Alkali family on the Periodic Table. The Alkali metals stip thetwo hydrogen atoms from the one oxygen atom that make up a water molecule. Since the bodyis made of three fourths water this is very harm full.

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13y ago

Yes, lithium reacts with water to produce lithium hydroxide, which is a strong base that can cause serious chemical burns.

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14y ago

lithium is poisonous, but not lethal (deadly if you don't know) unless you take too much or unless it builds up in your body. feel any better?

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11y ago

No radioactive isotopes of lithium are ordinarily found in nature. All elements have synthetic radioactive isotopes, however.
Under normal conditions, Lithium is not radioactive.

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The batteries are dangerous to swallow.


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Lithium chloride would dissolve in water.


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