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Jesus S, Ventura M, Assunção R, Gueifão S, Delgado I, Rego A, Ribeiro M, Martins M, Neves O, Coelho I. Study around the Barroso mine (Portugal): Baseline levels of lithium for assessing future exposure and risks from Li mining activity. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 190:114825. [PMID: 38897285 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The energetic green transition is increasing the demand for lithium (Li) exploitation. However, the Li supply faces challenges like limited reserves and environmental concerns. This pioneer study aims to characterize the Li concentrations in the region around the Barroso mine, in Portugal, by collecting and analyzing samples of cabbage, potato, drinking and irrigation water and soil from two nearby sites, and performing a preliminary exposure and risk assessment of local populations. Li levels ranged between 20 and 589 μg/kg in cabbages (n = 23), 2.3-21 μg/kg in potatoes (n = 21), 1.1-5.9 μg/L in drinking water (n = 10), 1.1-15 μg/L in irrigation water (n = 23) and 35-121 mg/kg in soils (n = 23). Significant differences in Li content between sampling sites were observed only for cabbage samples. The risk assessment revealed that none of the participants exceeded the provisional reference dose (p-RfD) (2 μg/kg bw/day), with a hazard quotient (HQ) < 1, suggesting no health concerns for the population. It is expected that the studied area will be affected by the future expansion of the mine concession, thus this pioneer study is crucial for future research as it establishes a initial database for evaluating the potential impact of mining activity on the environment and the population's exposure to Li.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Jesus
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Lisbon, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET - Aquatic Research Network Associate Laboratory, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Marta Ventura
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Lisbon, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET - Aquatic Research Network Associate Laboratory, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Assunção
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, Almada, Portugal
| | - Sandra Gueifão
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Delgado
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreia Rego
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mariana Ribeiro
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Martins
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET - Aquatic Research Network Associate Laboratory, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Orquídia Neves
- Department of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineering /CERENA (Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente), Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Coelho
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP), Lisbon, Portugal.
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Tondo L, Baldessarini RJ. Prevention of suicidal behavior with lithium treatment in patients with recurrent mood disorders. Int J Bipolar Disord 2024; 12:6. [PMID: 38460088 PMCID: PMC10924823 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-024-00326-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Suicidal behavior is more prevalent in bipolar disorders than in other psychiatric illnesses. In the last thirty years evidence has emerged to indicate that long-term treatment of bipolar disorder patients with lithium may reduce risk of suicide and attempts, with possibly similar benefits in recurrent major depressive disorder. We review and update selected research literature on effects of lithium treatment in reducing suicidal behavior and consider proposals that higher levels of lithium in drinking water may be associated with lower suicide rates. We summarize results of a growing number of randomized, controlled studies of lithium treatment for suicide prevention including comparisons with placebos or alternative treatments, and comment on the severe challenges of such trials. The basis of a proposed protective effect of lithium against suicidal behaviors remains uncertain but may include protective effects against recurrences of depressive phases of mood disorders, especially with mixed features or agitation, and possibly through beneficial effects on impulsivity, agitation and dysphoric mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Tondo
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- International Consortium for Mood & Psychotic Disorder Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
- Lucio Bini Mood Disorder Centers, Centro Lucio Bini, 42 Via Crescenzio, Cagliari and Rome, 00193, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ross J Baldessarini
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- International Consortium for Mood & Psychotic Disorder Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
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Strawbridge R, Young AH. Lithium: how low can you go? Int J Bipolar Disord 2024; 12:4. [PMID: 38289425 PMCID: PMC10828288 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-024-00325-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Strawbridge
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 103 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ, UK.
| | - Allan H Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 103 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
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Dobosy P, Illés Á, Endrédi A, Záray G. Lithium concentration in tap water, bottled mineral water, and Danube River water in Hungary. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12543. [PMID: 37532748 PMCID: PMC10397251 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38864-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to increased manufacture and recycling of lithium batteries across the world, we may anticipate a rise in lithium pollution in the aquatic environment and drinking water reservoirs. In order to investigate the current status regarding the lithium content in Hungarian tap waters, samples were collected from the public drinking water supply systems of 19 county seats in Hungary during seasonally selected times. Depending on the water sources, such as bank-filtrated river water, surface water from open reservoirs, and groundwater, the lithium concentrations varied between 0.90-4.23, 2.12-11.7 and 1.11-31.4 µg/L, respectively, while the median values were 3.52, 5.02 and 8.55 µg/L, respectively. The lithium concentration in the bottled Hungarian mineral waters was also determined since the daily intake of lithium can be influenced by the consumption of mineral waters. The concentrations ranged from 4.2 to 209 µg/L, while the median value was only 17.8 µg/L. Additionally, a correlation was only found between lithium and potassium concentrations. The lithium concentration was also assessed at ten sampling locations in the Hungarian segment of the Danube River since the Danube water is also a water source for additional drinking water utilities using bank filtration technology. The mean and median lithium concentrations were 2.78 and 2.64 µg/L, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Péter Dobosy
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest, 1113, Hungary
- National Laboratory for Water Science and Water Security, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest, 1113, Hungary
| | - Ádám Illés
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest, 1113, Hungary
- National Laboratory for Water Science and Water Security, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest, 1113, Hungary
| | - Anett Endrédi
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest, 1113, Hungary
| | - Gyula Záray
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest, 1113, Hungary.
- National Laboratory for Water Science and Water Security, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest, 1113, Hungary.
- Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
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An investigation into the association between suicide mortality rate and lithium levels in potable water: a review study. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; 38:73-80. [PMID: 36719336 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between lithium levels in potable water and suicide mortality rates in the total inhabitants. We systematically searched Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed Central (PMC), Google Scholar databases, as well as medRxiv using the following keywords: drinking water, lithium, standardized mortality ratio (SMR), tap water, suicide, and ground water. Pearson regression analysis was used to test an association between variables with 95% confidence interval (CI). A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 16 eligible articles were identified. Lithium concentrations in drinking water range from 0.4 to 32.9 μg/l. Average rates of suicide mortality (per 100 000 capita) range between 0.790 (±0.198) and 123 (±50). About 16 original studies confirmed the inverse relationship between lithium concentrations in potable water and suicide mortality rates (R = -0.576; R2 = 0.3323; 95% CI, -0.820 to -0.325; β = -0.3.2; P = 0.019). High lithium concentrations in potable water were associated with decreased suicide rates. We concluded that lithium concentration in potable water was inversely associated with suicide mortality rates among a total population. However, further research is required to clarify the relationship between lithium concentrations in drinking water and suicide rate.
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Rihmer Z, Dome P. Fortification of drinking water with lithium to reduce suicide in the population. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 71:3-5. [PMID: 36867985 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zoltan Rihmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Peter Dome
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary.
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Rybakowski JK, Ferensztajn-Rochowiak E. Mini-review: Anomalous association between lithium data and lithium use. Neurosci Lett 2022; 777:136590. [PMID: 35346779 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
This mini-review aims to show a discrepancy between favorable data of lithium's therapeutic activity and the decreased use of the drug worldwide. The data point to lithium as the best mood stabilizer in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder for the prevention of manic and depressive recurrences. The second most encouraging psychiatric use of lithium is the augmentation of antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression. In addition to its mood-stabilizing properties, lithium is the most efficacious antisuicidal drug among all mood stabilizers. The drug also exerts antiviral, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective effects which may be of major clinical value. On the other hand, the data of lithium use show that its therapeutic application in many countries has declined. A reason for this can be the introduction and heavy promotion of other mood-stabilizers, while lithium is an "orphan" drug with the minimal interest of any drug company. Probably, very important is also a perception of lithium as a "toxic drug", pointing to its side effects, mainly thyroid, renal and cognitive ones. In recent years, several proposals to turn back this anomalous association appeared, challenging a negative perception of lithium and optimizing its long-term administration. They show the data on lithium superiority over other mood stabilizers and point to the proper management of the lithium-induced side effects. This endeavor aims to allow a larger number of mood disorder patients to become beneficiaries of lithium use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janusz K Rybakowski
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznan, ul. Szpitalna 27/33, Poland.
| | - Ewa Ferensztajn-Rochowiak
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznan, ul. Szpitalna 27/33, Poland
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