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What is dangerous about lithium?

Updated: 9/19/2023
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13y ago

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Lithium metal reacts violently on contact with water and can spontaneously ignite on contact with air.

When used as a drug (to treat bipolar disorders and depression) it can cause Lithium toxicity and poisoning if too much of it is taken.

When used in batteries there are several dangers. The batteries can get very hot and cause burns, and if they overheat they can catch fire or explode. Also if they are overcharged or rapidly charged the electrodes in the cells can fail and the charger can catch fire. If the chemicals inside get out of the battery chemical burns are a high danger too. There is also a danger that the battery might discharge, which, due to the high power inside them, would give a very powerful shock.

Hope this helps :)

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