Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 231-102-5 | CAS number: 7439-93-2
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
Lithium metal when not kept in heavy oil
reacts with water, thereby hydrogen gas and lithium hydroxide are
formed. Lithium hydroxide dissociates completely in water to lithium
ions and hydroxyl ions. After absorption, lithium ions are quickly
distributed and completely excreted, mainly in urine. Bioaccumulation
can be excluded. No toxicologically relevant metabolites are expected as
lithium is excreted unchanged. The hydroxide ion may react with free H+,
forming water which is toxicological not relevant.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
- Bioaccumulation potential:
- no bioaccumulation potential
Additional information
Since lithium has been used as a psychiatric drug for almost half a century, there are a number of publications on lithium pharmacokinetics.
Lithium metal when not kept in heavy oil reacts with water, thereby hydrogen gas and lithium hydroxide are formed. Lithium hydroxide dissociates completely in water to lithium ions and hydroxyl ions.
After oral uptake, lithium (Li+) is readily and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In the stomach the hydroxyl ions neutralise the gastric acid.
The absorption of lithium (Li+) through the skin is considered to be very poor to negligible when no corrosive conditions and damage occur. Upon inhalation (although exposure to vapour is not relevant), if lithium ions reach the lung, its bioavailability is very low.
After absorption, lithium is quickly distributed and unchanged excreted, primarily in urine. Bioaccumulation can be excluded.
The hydroxide ion may react with free H+, forming water which is toxicological not relevant.
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