Higher levels of lithium in tap water may be linked to a slightly increased risk of autism diagnosis in children, according to a new study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
Researchers from Denmark analyzed data on more than 8,800 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and found that those exposed to higher levels of lithium in their drinking water during pregnancy had an increased risk of ASD. The association was strongest among children born to mothers who consumed large amounts of bottled water.
While the study suggests a possible connection between lithium exposure and ASD, experts say more research is needed to determine whether there is a causal link between the two.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set no federal standards for lithium levels in drinking water. The agency notes that lithium is an essential nutrient found naturally in some foods and can have both beneficial and adverse effects on human health, depending on the concentration.
Previous research has suggested links between ASD and exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates, but none of these studies provide conclusive evidence for a direct causal relationship.
Dr. Beate Ritz, co-author of the study, emphasized that her team's findings do not prove causation, and more research is needed to determine whether lithium exposure plays a role in ASD development.
"It's an interesting association," Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, said. "But we need to see if there's a viable and biologically plausible mechanism by which a small amount of lithium in the water supply can do this."
Researchers from Denmark analyzed data on more than 8,800 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and found that those exposed to higher levels of lithium in their drinking water during pregnancy had an increased risk of ASD. The association was strongest among children born to mothers who consumed large amounts of bottled water.
While the study suggests a possible connection between lithium exposure and ASD, experts say more research is needed to determine whether there is a causal link between the two.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set no federal standards for lithium levels in drinking water. The agency notes that lithium is an essential nutrient found naturally in some foods and can have both beneficial and adverse effects on human health, depending on the concentration.
Previous research has suggested links between ASD and exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates, but none of these studies provide conclusive evidence for a direct causal relationship.
Dr. Beate Ritz, co-author of the study, emphasized that her team's findings do not prove causation, and more research is needed to determine whether lithium exposure plays a role in ASD development.
"It's an interesting association," Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, said. "But we need to see if there's a viable and biologically plausible mechanism by which a small amount of lithium in the water supply can do this."
I'm all for being cautious, but we can't just assume causation here. I've read some stuff about how lithium is actually good for mental health and stuff, so it's weird that it could be bad too.
Are we really gonna go around assuming that people who drink bottled water are somehow more likely to have autism? I don't think so.
! High levels of lithium in tap water? That's like, not what I want to see on my child's birth certificate 
. And that the connection is strongest among moms who drink a lot of bottled water? That just sounds like a recipe for disaster 
. I mean, I know lithium can be good for some people, but what about our kids?! 
? I'm not saying we should freak out or anything, but let's keep an eye on this one, okay? 
. Like, I know it's not conclusive or anything, but can you imagine?! 
That's like, a whole different level of exposure to lithium. I mean, is it really that big of a deal? We're already dealing with so many chemicals in our environment and yet we don't even have standards for these things?! 
). At least it was pure... or so she thought! 
And what's with the bottled water thing? That's just crazy talk. Can't a mom even drink her own tap water around here? 
. But seriously, is there really no federal standard for this stuff? It seems like we're just winging it when it comes to our health. I'm not saying lithium can't be bad for us, but an "essential nutrient" that's also linked to increased autism risk? That sounds like a contradiction in terms... 
[An image of a chart with a red " warning" symbol overlaid on it, indicating a potential link between lithium and autism]
[An animated GIF of a scale tipping to one side, indicating an imbalance between beneficial and adverse effects]
[A picture of a brain with a lightbulb moment, surrounded by puzzle pieces representing autism diagnosis]
[An explosion emoji with a speech bubble saying "More research needed!"]
research says it increases autism risk but dont get too excited experts say more research is needed 
autism is bad enough without us adding lithium to the mix 
. Don't get me wrong, it's interesting that higher levels of lithium in tap water are being linked to an increased risk of autism diagnosis in children. But we need more research to separate correlation from causation 
. So, can we really say that the amounts in tap water are having this profound impact on neurodevelopmental disorders like autism? 
.