Hrvatske vode, Vol. 33 No. 133-134, 2025.
Review article
Lithium in the global battery supply chain: water stress, water pollution and toxicological risks of the green transition
Višnja Oreščanin
; Oreščanin j.d.o.o., A. Jakšića 30, Zagreb, Hrvatska
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* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Accelerated electrification of transport and power systems significantly increases lithium demand, while simultaneously shifting a part of environmental and health risks into the phases of its extraction, chemical processing and battery production and recycling. This paper provides an overview of modern scientific insights in lithium impacts on water resources and human health during its entire life cycle, with a special emphasis on water stress, water pollution, limitations of standard life cycle assessment (LCA), as well as toxicological impacts of chronic exposure to lithium through water intended for human consumption. The analysis reveals that lithium has a clearly defined toxicological profile, whereby chronic exposure primarily targets kidneys and additionally impacts the endocrine and nervous systems. In conclusion, the sustainability of lithium-ion technologies cannot be assessed exclusively according to their climate benefits, but must also include the protection of environmental resources and human health during its entire life cycle.
Keywords
lithium; lithium-ion batteries; water stress; water pollution; toxic potential; direct lithium extraction; life cycle assessment; battery recycling
Hrčak ID:
352119
URI
Publication date:
5.1.2026.
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