Drinking water, lithium

Dawson, E. B., Moore, T. D., McGanity, W. J. (1970). The mathematical relations of drinking water, lithium, and rainfall to mental hospital admissions. Diseases of the Nervous System, 31, 811-820. 

In addition to the use of chlorine as an antiseptic for swimming pools and drinking water, large amounts are used during industrial processes that produce paper, plastics, textiles, dyes, medicines, insecticides, solvents, and some paints. Following are some of the more important compounds of chlorine used in industries hydrochloric acid (HCl + H O), table salt (NaCl), chloroform (CHCL ), carbon tetrachloride (CCy, magnesium chloride (MgCl ), chlorine dioxide (CIO ), potassium chloride (KCl), and lithium chloride (LiCl). 

Menaker There is a similar effect in rodents. You can get effects on mice and rats with lithium in the drinking water, but you cannot get effects in hamsters. The reason for this is that because hamsters are desert animals they have an incredibly powerful kidney, and they simply don t allow the hthium concentration in the blood to rise to a level where it will do anything. 

Lithium (Li) has been used in the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic depression) for approximately 50 years. Over 2000 British patients use Li for this disease. The illness is characterized by alternative states of depression and mania, or overexcitement. At times, the cycle of mood changes continue for several weeks or for one year with good results (intervals) between the phases. In Texas, a correlation has been noted between the influence of Li-salts and the drinking water as well as the increase in visits to psychiatric (mental) public health hospitals. 

The polyuria which often accompanies lithium treatment is normally compensated for by drinking water, but when consciousness is impaired severe hypernatremia may develop. When any acute illness (particularly if associated with gastrointestinal symptoms) occurs or when new medication is given, lithium blood levels should be closely monitored, and the lithium dose adjusted. 

Since lithium chloride is easily vater-solu-ble, in arid climatic zones it follo vs the up vard movement of the soil solution and precipitates at top horizons. This process may explain the high lithium concentrations observed in soils, ground waters and drinking water under hot, dry climates (Kabata-Pendias and Pendias 2001). 

Thus, drinking water and beverages may contribute very significantly to the lithium supply and therefore must be taken into consideration when the lithium balance is estimated in humans. 

ScHEAUZEE GN and Sheestha KP (1991) Lithium in drinking water and the incidences of crimes, suicides, and arrests related to drug addictions. In Schrauzer GN and Klippel KF, eds. Lithium in Biology and Medicine. New Applications and Developments, pp. 189-203. VCH Verlagsge-sellschaft, Weinheim-New York. 

Figure 17 Distribution of lithium among organs of the rat after chronic ingestion 1 mmolkg of lithium carbonate in the drinking water, normaiized databased on a metaanaiysis of 9 studies, as reported in Ref. 107. (Reprinted with permission from 1999 American Chemical Society)...

Lithium occurs naturally in biological tissues and hence is incorporated into foodstuffs. It occurs widely in drinking water, usually at low concentrations. Natural waters that contain higher concentrations of this and other metals frequently are designated mineral waters , with supposed medicinal properties. Lithium was first used medically for the treatment of gout. Garrod (1859) first described its medical use in detail and particularly mentioned the use in brain... 

In addition to keeping neurons alive, lithium appears to also keep patients alive. Lithium has previously documented an antisuicide effect when given to mood disordered patients in the clinical setting. The increase in suicide risk may be associated with increased expression of the acid phosphatase 1 gene (ACPI) [37 > n ai study] year, one study has found a geospatial relationship between lithium in the drinking water and rates of suicide in municipali-... 

Helbich M, Leitner M, Kapusta ND. Geospatial examination of lithium in drinking water and suicide mortality. Int J Health Geogr 2012 11 19 (8 pages). 

Lithium chloride is used in the production of lithium metal by electrolysis. It also is used in metallurgy as a eutectic melting composition with potassium chloride (LiCl 41 mol% KCl 59 mol%). Other applications are in low temperature dry-cell batteries as a dehumidifier in air conditioning in welding and soldering flux as a desiccant in fireworks and in mineral waters and soft drinks. 

Use Air conditioning, welding and soldering flux, dry batteries, heat-exchange media, salt baths, desiccant, production of lithium metal, soft drinks and mineral water to reduce escape of carbon dioxide. 

The chemical elements are essential to each of us in our daily lives. The most important element is carbon, which is found in virtually all of the molecules that make up the living cell. Although certain elements are present in our bodies in tiny amounts, these elements can have profound effects on our health and behavior. As we will see in this chapter, lithium can be a miracle treatment for someone with manic-depressive disease, and our cobalt levels can have a remarkable impact on behavior. Many elements in our bodies serve no useful purpose, but they are found in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. As a result, the human body typically contains significant amounts of elements such as aluminum, barium, strontium, uranium, and gold, which are usually deposited in the bones or liver. 

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