Lithium levels in tap water may be linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children born to pregnant women exposed to higher concentrations.
According to a recent study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, mothers who consumed tap water with higher lithium levels had a significantly higher risk of their offspring being diagnosed with ASD. The research found that children whose mothers drank water with lithium levels at or above 200 parts per billion (ppb) were more likely to receive an ASD diagnosis than those born to mothers drinking water with lower levels.
While the study's findings are intriguing, experts caution against drawing a direct causal link between lithium exposure and ASD. "The relationship between lithium exposure during pregnancy and autism is complex, and more research is needed," said Dr. Beate Ritz, co-author of the study.
Lithium is an alkali metal commonly found in food, ground water, and various industrial applications, including batteries, grease, and air conditioners. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not regulate lithium levels in drinking water, but Denmark has implemented strict guidelines to minimize exposure.
Critics of the study argue that it lacks robust controls and fails to account for other potential environmental factors contributing to ASD risk, such as pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates. "The connection between environmental exposure and ASD is hard to prove," said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.
Dr. Ritz acknowledged that the study did not establish a causal link between lithium exposure and ASD but emphasized the need for further research on drinking water contaminants affecting human brain development. "Any environmental contaminant that may affect the developing human brain deserves intense scrutiny," she said.
The implications of this study are complex, with some experts suggesting that guidelines for lithium levels in drinking water should be reconsidered to minimize potential risks. "If all these associations are valid, we will need to develop guidelines for lithium in drinking water that are maximally protective of the entire population," said Dr. David C. Bellinger, a professor of neurology and psychology at Harvard Medical School.
For now, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between lithium exposure during pregnancy and ASD risk.
According to a recent study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, mothers who consumed tap water with higher lithium levels had a significantly higher risk of their offspring being diagnosed with ASD. The research found that children whose mothers drank water with lithium levels at or above 200 parts per billion (ppb) were more likely to receive an ASD diagnosis than those born to mothers drinking water with lower levels.
While the study's findings are intriguing, experts caution against drawing a direct causal link between lithium exposure and ASD. "The relationship between lithium exposure during pregnancy and autism is complex, and more research is needed," said Dr. Beate Ritz, co-author of the study.
Lithium is an alkali metal commonly found in food, ground water, and various industrial applications, including batteries, grease, and air conditioners. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not regulate lithium levels in drinking water, but Denmark has implemented strict guidelines to minimize exposure.
Critics of the study argue that it lacks robust controls and fails to account for other potential environmental factors contributing to ASD risk, such as pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates. "The connection between environmental exposure and ASD is hard to prove," said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.
Dr. Ritz acknowledged that the study did not establish a causal link between lithium exposure and ASD but emphasized the need for further research on drinking water contaminants affecting human brain development. "Any environmental contaminant that may affect the developing human brain deserves intense scrutiny," she said.
The implications of this study are complex, with some experts suggesting that guidelines for lithium levels in drinking water should be reconsidered to minimize potential risks. "If all these associations are valid, we will need to develop guidelines for lithium in drinking water that are maximally protective of the entire population," said Dr. David C. Bellinger, a professor of neurology and psychology at Harvard Medical School.
For now, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between lithium exposure during pregnancy and ASD risk.
I'm kinda surprised by this study, gotta say. I mean, we all know that lithium's around in our food and stuff, but who knew it was even present in tap water? 
It's like, okay, so now there's a link between lithium levels in water and ASD risk, but do we really need to freak out yet? 
That's a whole different can of worms.
Maybe it's not just about lithium, but about how any environmental pollutant could be affecting our brains. Just food for thought, tho... 
.
. Do we really want to add more variables to the mix?!?
I'm not saying it's definitely a link, but at least we should be looking into it, you know? Maybe they can find some limits for how much lithium is safe in tap water. That would be a good starting point, right? 
. Lithium levels in tap water can cause autism? It's like, what if my mom drank that water when she was pregnant with me 
? I know it sounds crazy but I'm actually kinda worried about my own kids growing up and being exposed to that stuff... I mean, we're already talking about pesticides and phthalates in our air and food, do we really need another environmental factor to worry about? 
i guess some countries like denmark have rules to keep the level low but what about us? 
gotta keep an eye on this one 
and then starts having autistic kids? sounds fishy to me... but I guess more research can't hurt... and if it's true that drinking water with high lithium levels increases the risk, shouldn't we be looking into other ways to reduce exposure? like making our water safer or something? idk man, still trying to process this 
My grandkids have ASD, but I don't think it's because of the tap water we drink at home. We've always had a filter, and my husband changed it every now and then. But what really worries me is that more research needs to be done on this topic, not just because of potential risks for kids born to pregnant moms, but also for anyone who might be exposed to high levels of lithium through their water.
Anyway, I think this study is a great reminder that there's still so much we don't know about our environment and how it affects us. More research = better understanding, right? 
. Like, what's up with that?! I mean, I know we already have enough to worry about with environmental toxins and stuff... can't our drinking water just be safe for once? 
And what's the deal with Denmark having strict guidelines on lithium levels but the US doesn't even regulate it? That's just whack 
I was talking to my friend last week who has a kid with autism and she was saying how frustrating it is to find out what's safe for them to drink. I'm not saying it's definitely the tap water or anything, but come on... let's be safe just in case, you know? 
. anywayz, this study is defo raising some red flags 
. gotta ask ourselves, what else are our schools putting us through without even knowing it 
. The lack of regulation in the US is mind-boggling - shouldn't we be prioritizing the health of our citizens? 
. i think what's really needed here is more research, not less... maybe studying other environmental factors too? 
but also kinda worrying 
, so it's not entirely surprising that there might be a connection between it and autism 
. But what really gets me is how many people are exposed to high levels of lithium just by living in certain areas 
... like, Denmark has super strict guidelines 
, but we don't here in the States 
? It's all about being more careful 
It's like, we know the risks of autism but what about all these other chemicals in our water?!