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- Title
Global navigation of Lithium in water bodies and emerging human health crisis.
- Authors
Adeel, Muhammad; Zain, Muhammad; Shakoor, Noman; Ahmad, Muhammad Arslan; Azeem, Imran; Aziz, Muhammad Abdullah; Tulcan, Robert Xavier Supe; Rathore, Akshit; Tahir, Muhammad; Horton, Robert; Xu, Ming; Yukui, Rui
- Abstract
The production of lithium (Li) increased by 256% in recent years due to unprecedented demands from technological industries. Intensive harvesting poses serious impacts on the sustainability of Li production. Herein, we address the global Li cycle and predict the peak production to reach 740000 million tons in 2041. Global Li accumulation in water bodies is mapped, and the consequences on human health of a wide range (<0.06–>20 mg L−1) of Li concentrations in drinking water are explored. The implications to human health of Li exposure remains unresolved and needs further investigation. There are still no recommendations on safe limits of Li in drinking water for humankind. In conclusion, there is an emergency call to health governing bodies, environmental protection agencies and scientific communities for urgent efforts on sustainable production of Li and identify their thresholds levels in drinking water to minimize the emerging consequences of Li on humans.
- Subjects
BODIES of water; HUMAN body; SUSTAINABILITY; SCIENTIFIC community; ENVIRONMENTAL protection; DRINKING water
- Publication
NPJ Clean Water, 2023, Vol 6, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2059-7037
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s41545-023-00238-w