Researchers studying the potential link between lithium exposure from tap water and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have found a modestly increased risk of ASD diagnoses among children born to pregnant women exposed to higher levels of lithium.
The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, looked at data from Denmark and found that as lithium levels in drinking water increased, so did the risk of ASD diagnosis. Specifically, the researchers found that children whose mothers were exposed to high levels of lithium during pregnancy had a 24% to 26% higher risk of ASD diagnosis compared to those with lower exposure levels.
However, experts caution that this association does not necessarily mean that lithium exposure directly causes ASD. "Any drinking water contaminants that may affect the developing human brain deserve intense scrutiny," said Dr. Beate Ritz, co-author of the study.
While the findings are intriguing, more research is needed to confirm the link and understand the underlying mechanisms. Ritz noted that further studies are required to look for a similar connection in other countries.
Lithium levels in drinking water vary widely across the US, with some areas having much higher concentrations than others. In Denmark, where this study was conducted, the level of lithium in drinking water is similar to that in American water systems.
The implications of these findings are complex from a public health policy standpoint. On one hand, high levels of lithium in drinking water have been linked to health benefits such as lower rates of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and suicide. On the other hand, exposure to higher levels of lithium may pose risks to fetal brain development.
Other researchers point out that many environmental exposures, including air pollution and pesticides, have been linked to ASD but do not necessarily prove causation. "There's a lot of speculation about environmental factors, but how many of them are truly causally associated?" said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland.
Ultimately, more research is needed to understand the relationship between lithium exposure and ASD risk. As Dr. Ritz noted, "we have to figure out how to basically safely navigate these stressors" – including potential environmental exposures that may contribute to ASD diagnoses.
The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, looked at data from Denmark and found that as lithium levels in drinking water increased, so did the risk of ASD diagnosis. Specifically, the researchers found that children whose mothers were exposed to high levels of lithium during pregnancy had a 24% to 26% higher risk of ASD diagnosis compared to those with lower exposure levels.
However, experts caution that this association does not necessarily mean that lithium exposure directly causes ASD. "Any drinking water contaminants that may affect the developing human brain deserve intense scrutiny," said Dr. Beate Ritz, co-author of the study.
While the findings are intriguing, more research is needed to confirm the link and understand the underlying mechanisms. Ritz noted that further studies are required to look for a similar connection in other countries.
Lithium levels in drinking water vary widely across the US, with some areas having much higher concentrations than others. In Denmark, where this study was conducted, the level of lithium in drinking water is similar to that in American water systems.
The implications of these findings are complex from a public health policy standpoint. On one hand, high levels of lithium in drinking water have been linked to health benefits such as lower rates of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and suicide. On the other hand, exposure to higher levels of lithium may pose risks to fetal brain development.
Other researchers point out that many environmental exposures, including air pollution and pesticides, have been linked to ASD but do not necessarily prove causation. "There's a lot of speculation about environmental factors, but how many of them are truly causally associated?" said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland.
Ultimately, more research is needed to understand the relationship between lithium exposure and ASD risk. As Dr. Ritz noted, "we have to figure out how to basically safely navigate these stressors" – including potential environmental exposures that may contribute to ASD diagnoses.
! Like, what if our tap water is actually causing some of the autism cases? And we're all unknowingly drinking it and then our kids get diagnosed with ASD? It's like, how many people do we need to expose before someone finds a link?! 
I mean, don't even get me started on the stress it would put on parents who already have one kid with autism. The thought of having another one because of something as simple as tap water is just too much for me... 
. But at the same time, if there's even a tiny chance that something as common as tap water could be linked to autism diagnoses, shouldn't we be looking into it? And yeah, 24-26% is still pretty small, but you never know right? 
. I mean, what about all the benefits of low-level lithium therapy for mental health? Shouldn't we be exploring ways to make tap water safer instead of demonizing it? 
It's like, we need more research, but we also can't afford to wait and see if this association holds up in other countries. Ugh, my brain is all over the place on this one 
. also, can we talk about how some areas have super high levels of lithium in their water and its actually supposed to be good for mental health 
? idk, just thinkin out loud 
. Lithium in drinking water might be bad for kids born to moms who drank it during pregnancy 
. It's not just a coincidence, right? 
. Like, what if it's affecting brain development or something? 
to figure out the truth.
. If there's even a tiny chance that lithium exposure could be linked to ASD, we should at least investigate further 
. It's not just about finding a direct cause, it's about minimizing risks and taking care of our little ones 
.
. Anyway, I'm all for more research and keeping our kids safe 
!
So if there's a link between lithium exposure from tap water and autism spectrum disorder, it just makes sense that something is up. 
We need more research, yes, but we also need some common sense and urgency here.
I had a friend whose sister was diagnosed with ASD, and she's been saying that her mom took some meds during pregnancy... my friend always wondered if it could've been related to that. Now this study comes out showing a possible link between lithium exposure in tap water and increased risk of ASD diagnosis? It's like, what are the chances, right? 
.
but at the same time we gotta be careful 'cause correlation doesn't necessarily mean causation 
That's a big deal, right? But at the same time, I'm thinking what about all the other environmental factors that might be playing into this? Like air pollution and pesticides... we can't just blame it on lithium, you know? 
It's like, we need more research, for sure. But also, how are we gonna navigate all these stressors without messing up the science?