Lithium Chloride

Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Refer for medical attention .

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. If symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop, immediately transport the victim to a hospital.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of lithium on acute morphine-induced tolerance and dependence in an in vitro model of isolated guinea pig ileum which has been extensively used for the assessment of these effects of opioids. Morphine inhibited electrically stimulated twitch of ileum in a concentration-dependent manner (pD(2)=7.27+ or -0.16). Tolerance to this effect was induced by the incubation of ileum with 2xIC(50) of morphine for 2 hr that induced a degree of tolerance of 14.7. The co-incubation of ileum with morphine and lithium chloride (1 mM) reduced the degree of tolerance significantly (p<0.001) and restored the sensitivity of ileum to the morphine inhibitory effect. Lithium chloride can also reduce the expression of tolerance to morphine significantly (p<0.01). Dependence was induced by incubation with 4xIC(50) of morphine for 2 hr and was assessed based on naloxone-induced contractions (10(-5 )M). Lithium chloride (1 mM) can attenuate the development but not the expression of dependence to morphine as shown by the significant decrease in naloxone-induced contractions (p<0.05). ...

... Ovariectomized mice received estradiol dipropionate (2 ug per 100 g; sc) once a week or vehicle and drank tap water with 0.05% lithium chloride or plain tap water for 2 or 30 days. In animals treated with estradiol and lithium for a month, the incidence of atypical endometrial hyperplasia was significantly higher. In animals treated with estradiol and lithium for 2 days or for a month, uterine mass, the number of mitotic cells and BrdU-labelled cells in luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium, stromal and myometrial cells was markedly greater, whereas the levels of estrogen receptors-alpha, beta-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta were markedly lower in all uterine compartments, than in those in mice received estradiol with no lithium to drink. ...

Mitochondrial preparations were made from male Wistar rat brains, and monoamine oxidase activity and protein content were measured. Varying concn of the enantiomers of tranylcypromine (+) and (-)-tranylcypromine were incubated with the enzyme source before the addition of substrate, and then the incubation was continued for 20 min at 37 °C. Substrates were either beta-phenylethylamine (0.03, or 0.21 mM) or serotonin (0.11 or 0.50 mM). Lithium was either added to the incubation medium at a concn of 1.5 mM/l (in vitro condition) or to the food at gradually incr concn for 3-4 wk (ex vivo condition), so that the serum lithium level at the time of testing was 0.6 to 0.9 mM/L. The (+)-enantiomer was 25 times more potent than its antipode as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Lithium enhanced the inhibitory effect of (-)-tranylcypromine on monoamine oxidase, but the effect depended significantly on the concn of substrate used (treatment x concn interaction. In the presence of (-)-tranylcypromine, Li significantly reduced the metabolism of beta-phenylethylamine under in vitro and ex vivo conditions as well as the metabolism of serotonin under in vitro conditions. Li failed, however, to influence the activity of monoamine oxidase significantly in the presence of (+)-tranylcypromine. /Lithium/

Eighteen cases of increased serum lithium concentrations after the addition of one of the cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 inhibitors to stable lithium therapy were retrieved from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS), 13 with rofecoxib and 5 with celecoxib. Serum lithium concentration increases of up to 99% and 448% with concomitant celecoxib and rofecoxib use, respectively, were reported. Thirty-six English-language literature articles report interactions between lithium and various NSAIDs. ... increased serum lithium concentration reports exist for aspirin, sulindac and 14 other NSAIDs, including celecoxib and rofecoxib. ... /Lithium therapy/

LC50; Species: Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow trout,Donaldson trout); Conditions: fresh water, temperature 12 to 13 °C, pH 6.9 to 7.8, hardness 92 to 110 mg/L CaCO3, dissolved oxygen 9.3 to 10.1 mg/L; renewal; Concentration: 9280 ug/L (95% confidence limit: 6680 to 12300ug/L) for 28 days /total/

LC50; Species: Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow); Conditions: fresh water; flow through, temperature 24.5 to 25 °C, pH 7.2 to 7.5, hardness 56 to 70 mg/L CaCO3, conductivity 160 to 270 umhos/cm, dissolved oxygen 6.8 to 8.6 mg/L; Concentration: 8700 ug/L (95% confidence limit: 5400 to 15000ug/L) for 26 days /total/

LC50; Species: Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow); Conditions: fresh water; flow through, temperature 24.5 to 25 °C, pH 7.2 to 7.5, hardness 56 to 70 mg/L CaCO3, conductivity 160 to 270 umhos/cm, dissolved oxygen 6.8 to 8.6 mg/L; Concentration: 1200 ug/L for 26 days /total/

EC50; Species: Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow); Conditions: fresh water; flow through, temperature 24.5 to 25 °C, pH 7.2 to 7.5, hardness 56 to 70 mg/L CaCO3, conductivity 160 to 270 umhos/cm, dissolved oxygen 6.8 to 8.6 mg/L; Concentration: 6400 ug/L (95% confidence limit: 5680 to 7360ug/L) for 26 days Effect: development normal; normal /total/

EC50; Species: Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow); Conditions: fresh water; flow through, temperature 24.5 to 25 °C, pH 7.2 to 7.5, hardness 56 to 70 mg/L CaCO3, conductivity 160 to 270 umhos/cm, dissolved oxygen 6.8 to 8.6 mg/L; Concentration: 1000 ug/L for 26 days Effect: development normal; normal /total/

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Lithium chloride is a white cubic crystalline material. It is soluble in water, ethanol, acetone, pyridine and nitrobenzene. It is used to manufacture mineral waters; in pyrotechnics; soldering aluminum; in refrigerating machines. It is used as a dessicant. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: Acute poisoning in man reported after 4 doses of 2 g each of lithium chloride, causing weakness, prostration, vertigo, and tinnitus. Chronic toxicity symptoms following ingestion of nonlethal doses of lithium chloride with low-sodium chloride diets are thirst and polyuria. Human volunteers (28 males, 25 females) were exposed to lithium chloride in spa water at a for 20 minutes/day, five days/week for two consecutive weeks. Serum lithium levels were compared to those of a control group of volunteers similarly exposed in spas without lithium. There were no differences between the serum lithium levels between lithium exposed volunteers and controls at any time interval (before lithium exposure and one hr after each weekly exposure). It is concluded that lithium is not absorbed through the skin during spa use. PAH-stimulated lymphocyte cultures from healthy adult volunteers were exposed to concentrations of lithium chloride. Tritiated thymidine was then added four hrs before harvesting. The mitotic index increased. The incidence of chromosomal breaks, gaps and satellite associations was increased in the presence of lithium chloride in the media. Acute intoxication can occur in the initial phase in a course of therapy, but also at any point of time during long-lasting treatment or after an acute overdose. Signs of toxicity include: anorexia, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremor of the hands, faintness of musculature, thirst, leukocytosis, and concentration and memory disturbances (especially with older people). These phenomena are often seen in the initial phase of a course of treatment and usually disappear when treatment continues, except with the tremor of the hands. In elderly people, reversible delirious conditions can occur with confusion, restlessness, and ataxia.Serious toxic symptoms occur which include: fasciculations, muscle contractions, hyperreflexia and hypertonia, drowsiness, confusion, sometimes epileptiform insults, hypotension, coma, collapse. Independent of the plasma level, changes can occur in the ECG and in the EEC, with symptoms such as polyuria and polydipsia, seldom nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, ulcers of the leg, enhancement of acne and psoriasis, transient hyperglycemia, pruritus, and a metal taste. In about 5% of the cases, a (usually reversible) hypothyroidia develops. The vast majority of the studies on chromosomal damage in leukocytes, lymphocytes and bone marrow cells in patients do not indicate any increased risk by lithium therapy for chromosome aberrations or sister chromatid exchanges. Factors affecting the glomerular filtration rate have a significant influence on the clearance of lithium. Thus, subjects with chronic renal insufficiency are especially vulnerable to lithium exposure. Other conditions predisposing to lithium intoxication include advanced age, sodium depletion of different origin or use of certain drugs affecting the renal function. Moderately toxic; probable oral lethal dose (human 0.5-5 g/kg; between 1 oz and 1 pint (or 1 lb) for 70 kg person (150 lb). ANIMAL/ECOTOXICITY/ STUDIES: Lithium chloride was found to be irritating in the rabbit acute toxicity testing of the skin. It was moderately irritating in the Draize test in rabbit eyes. Inbred strains of male mice were used to determine whether genetic factors play a role in lithium toxicity. Significant differences were also observed between the mouse strains in the concentrations of lithium in plasma, heart, liver, kidney and brain 2 hr after a subcutaneous injection lithium chloride, but the lithium concentrations were not related in an obvious manner to lithium chloride toxicity. The results show that genetic factors can influence the toxicity and pharmacodynamics of lithium. Application of lithium chloride solution to rabbit's eye after mechanical removal of corneal epithelium to facilitate penetration caused no evident injury, but produced long lasting flattening of the cornea. A teratogenicity study was conducted in a group of 52 rats and 100 controls. The animals were administered lithium chloride (LiCl) in a in drinking water. The dose levels were evaluated to be just subtoxic in a for going study. No malformations or other defects in the lithium exposed litters. Neither were there any differences in size and weight among these and untreated controls. If the young were maintained at the same lithium concentration in the drinking water, 23 showed slightly lower growth, but developed finally into adult rats indistinguishable from normal rats. Significant inhibition of spermatogenesis was found in a study in immature rats after daily subcutaneous injections of lithium chloride for at least 15 days. Lithium chloride was negative in the Bacillus subtilis recombination assay without metabolic activation. Lithium chloride tested negative in the Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535 and TA 1537 with or without metabolic activation. Lithium chloride at concentrations was administered to mice and bone marrow was extracted Lithium chloride induced chromosomal aberrations, but not sister chromatid exchanges. A 24 hour static bioassay was conducted in three species of fish: Oncorhynchus kisutch, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, and Ptychocheilus orefonensis. Acclimatized fish were transferred to vessels in 4 L of water (3 fish per vessel) about 2 hrs prior to addition of test article. The fish were exposed to lithium chloride and observed for 24 hours. The times at which a fish lost its equilibrium or died were noted. Death was seen at 6.5-11 hrs and 2.5-6.5 hrs for Oncorhynchus kisutch and Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, respectively. In two separate tests with Ptychocheilus oregonensis, no signs of toxicity were observed. In a third test death was seen at 2.5-6.5 hrs. The lower limit of these ranges indicate the time that the last observation was made before death. The upper limit indicates the time that death was noted. Loss of equilibrium was not observed. The chronic administration of lithium chloride during the embryogenesis of Bufo arenarum toad has resulted in a teratological development and in some cases an irreversible blockade of morphogenesis. These results vary according to the embryonic stage, the duration of the treatment and the concentration used. The histological analysis of embryos treated non-chronically showed a series of mild-to-severe malformations. According to the results obtained, lithium would alter the gastrulation and organogenesis processes of this species, interfering with the normal succession of developmental stages.

/BIRDS and MAMMALS/ ...Adult male Roseringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) were... injected, intramuscularly, twice daily (07:00 and 19:00 hr) with lithium chloride at a dosage of 0.5 mEq/Kg bw either for 5 or 10 days. A significant decrease in both the absolute and relative testicular weights was evident in the lithium-treated birds as compared to those of the saline-injected control animals. Light microscopic studies of the testis in the lithium-treated animals showed a wide range of degenerative changes. These included a) a significant reduction in the diameter of seminiferous tubules; b) necrosis and exfoliation of most of the germ cells in the seminiferous tubular lumen with the exception of the spermatogonia; and c) a significant reduction in the number of mature spermatozoa in the tubular lumen. These degenerative changes were dependent on the duration of lithium treatment and were evident when the plasma lithium concentrations were well below the human therapeutic range. ...

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ /A 24 hour static bioassay was conducted in three species of fish: Oncorhynchus kisutch, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, and Ptychocheilus orefonensis/. Acclimatized fish were transferred to vessels in 4 L of water (3 fish per vessel) about 2 hrs prior to addition of test article. This species was exposed to 5 and 10 ppm (0.009-0.017 mg/L) lithium chloride and observed for 24 hours. The times at which a fish lost its equilibrium or died were noted. At a concentration of 10 ppm death was seen at 6.5-11 hrs and 2.5-6.5 hrs for Oncorhynchus kisutch and Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, respectively. In two separate tests /with Ptychocheilus oregonensis/, no signs of toxicity were observed at either 5 or 10 ppm lithium chloride. In a third test at 10 ppm death was seen at 2.5-6.5 hrs. The lower limit of these ranges indicate the time that the last observation was made before death. The upper limit indicates the time that death was noted. Loss of equilibrium was not observed.

/OTHER TERRESTRIAL SPECIES/ The chronic admin of lithium chloride during the embryogenesis of Bufo arenarum /toad/ has resulted in a teratological development and in some cases an irreversible blockade of morphogenesis. These results vary according to the embryonic stage, the duration of the treatment and the concn used. The histological analysis of embryos treated non-chronically showed a series of mild-to-severe malformations. According to the results obtained, lithium would alter the gastrulation and organogenesis processes of this species, interfering with the normal succession of developmental stages.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Acute poisoning in man reported after 4 doses of 2 g each of lithium chloride, causing weakness, prostration, vertigo, tinnitus.[Gosselin, R.E., H.C. Hodge, R.P. Smith, and M.N. Gleason. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 4th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1976., p. II-85]

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ ...Chronic toxicity symptoms following ingestion of nonlethal doses of lithium chloride with low-sodium chloride diets are... thirst, polyuria.[Venugopal, B. and T.D. Luckey. Metal Toxicity in Mammals, 2. New York: Plenum Press, 1978., p. 5]

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ Human volunteers (28 males, 25 females) were exposed to lithium chloride in spa water at a concentration of 40 ppm for 20 minutes/day, five days/week for two consecutive weeks. Serum lithium levels were compared to those of a control group of volunteers similarly exposed in spas without lithium. There were no differences between the serum lithium levels between lithium-exposed volunteers and controls at any time interval (before lithium exposure and one hr after each weekly exposure). It is concluded that lithium is not absorbed through the skin during spa use.

/ALTERNATIVE and IN VITRO TESTS/ ...IL-15 production by monocyte cultures treated with lithium chloride (LiCl) /was examined/. Monocytes were obtained from patients affected by non-metastatic and metastatic breast cancer. LiCl treatment induced IL-15 production by monocytes mainly from non-metastatic patients. Combined lipopolysaccharide/LiCl treatment of monocyte cultures up-regulated IL-15 release compared to those treated with LPS alone (p<0.0001). ...[Merendino RA et al; J Chemother 12 (3): 252-7 (2000)]

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for LITHIUM CHLORIDE (19 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Lithium chloride was found to be irritating in the rabbit acute toxicity testing of the skin. It was moderately irritating in the Draize test in rabbit eyes when dosed at 0.10 g.[European Chemicals Bureau; IUCLID Dataset, Lithium Chloride (CAS # 7447-41-8) p.20-21. Available from, as of February 7, 2007: http://esis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/]

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Inbred strains of male mice (C3H, DBA, BALB, C57) were used to determine whether genetic factors play a role in lithium toxicity. Significant differences in the LD50 for LiCl were observed between the mouse strains after a subcutaneous injection of 37 degrees isotonic LiCl. The LD50 values in the C3H, DBA, BALB and C57 strains were 17.4, 17.6, 18.2, and 19.4 mmol/kg, respectively. Significant differences were also observed between the mouse strains in the concentrations of lithium in plasma, heart, liver, kidney and brain 2 hr after a subcutaneous injection of 15.1 or 18.2 mmol/kg LiCl, but the lithium concentrations were not related in an obvious manner to LiCl toxicity. The results show that genetic factors can influence the toxicity and pharmacodynamics of lithium.[Smith DF; Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh) 43 (1): 51-4 (1978)]

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Male inbred rats were used to determine the lethal dose of lithium chloride. The rats were 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and/or 6 months old, and lithium chloride was given intraperitoneally, subcutaneously and orally. In relation to age, LD50 was significantly higher in rats of 6 weeks after oral administration than LD50 in rats of 3 and 6 months. No differences were found following intraperitoneal and subcutaneous administration. In relation to route of administration, LD50 was significantly higher in rats of 3 and 6 weeks after oral administration than LD50 after intraperitoneal and subcutaneous administration. This difference was not found in rats of 3 and 6 months. It is concluded that age and route of administration are of significance for LD50 of lithium chloride in the rat.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Application of 0.1 molar lithium chloride solution to rabbit's eye after mechanical removal of corneal epithelium to facilitate penetration caused no evident injury, but produced long lasting flattening of the cornea.[Grant, W.M. Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1986., p. 566]

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for LITHIUM CHLORIDE (48 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Factors affecting the glomerular filtration rate have a significant influence on the clearance of lithium. Thus, subjects with chronic renal insufficiency are especially vulnerable to lithium exposure. Other conditions predisposing to lithium intoxication include advanced age, sodium depletion of different origin or use of certain drugs affecting the renal function. /Lithium NOS/

Used in biological research as an immune modulator; [ChemIDplus] Used to produce lithium metal and lithium borohydride; Also used in fluxes, dipping baths, desiccants, fireworks, fire extinguishers, deicer solutions, dehumidifiers, and photosensitive developers; Also used as a catalyst, chlorinating agent, dry cell electrolyte, textile spinning stabilizer, antistatic fabric finish, and wastewater tracer; [CHEMINFO]

Battery Manufacturing [Category: Industry]

MANUFACTURE MINERAL WATERS; IN PYROTECHNICS; SOLDERING ALUMINUM; IN REFRIGERATING MACHINES

Desiccant and humectant; air conditioning; batteries

DEHUMIDIFYING AGENT IN AIR CONDITIONING

Welding & soldering flux; dry batteries; heat-exchange media; salt baths; dessicant; air conditioning; production of lithium metal, soft drinks, and mineral water to reduce escape of carbon dioxide.

2023: 4,000,000 - <5,500,000 lb

Production volumes for non-confidential chemicals reported under the Inventory Update Rule. [Table#4898]

REACTION OF LITHIUM CARBONATE OR LITHIUM HYDROXIDE WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Lithium chloride can be extracted from other alkali-metal chlorides with amyl alcohol.

Reaction of lithium ores with chlorides; natural brines.

... By reaction of lithium carbonate and hydrochloric acid, with special steel or nickel equipment because of the extreme corrosivity of lithium chloride. Concentration of the solution (eg, in a vacuum evaporator) causes lithium chloride to crystallize. It is then separated from the mother liquor, dried, and packed in moisture-proof containers.

Grade: Technical, 99% (min) assay; 35-40% brine, inhibited; single crystals.

99.8% purity grade, anhydrous (99.3%) grade, ACS granular reagent grade

All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing

Lithium chloride (LiCl): ACTIVE