The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) is warning about the effects of lithium, widely used in electric car batteries and electronic devices. Already recognized as toxic to reproduction, this element is now identified as a proven endocrine disruptor for humans, particularly due to its effects on the thyroid.
In an opinion published Thursday, the agency emphasizes that the uses of lithium are multiplying, whether in industry, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, or materials such as glass and ceramics. This expansion, combined with new mining projects in Europe, necessitates a better assessment of the risks to health and the environment.
Worrying impacts on ecosystems
Beyond its effects on humans, lithium also exhibits toxicity to numerous aquatic organisms. Fish, algae, invertebrates, and amphibians can be affected, even with prolonged exposure, raising concerns about the balance of ecosystems. In light of these findings, ANSES recommends classifying lithium and certain of its salts as endocrine disruptors and chronic toxic substances at the European level, within the framework of the CLP regulation governing chemicals.
The agency is calling for increased data collection on human and environmental exposure and urging manufacturers to incorporate these risks into their assessments. Such a classification could lead to stricter labeling and more regulated conditions of use within the European Union. This warning comes at a time when lithium is central to the energy transition, illustrating the challenge of reconciling industrial development with the protection of public health.
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