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Lithium in Drinking Water and the Incidences of Crimes, Suicides ,
and Arrests Related to Drug Addictions
Shrestha, KP | Schrauzer, GN
Biological Trace Element Research BTERDG, Vol. 25, No. 2, p
105-113, May 1990. 3 tab, 20 ref.
Lithium is a trace element that is widely used in the treatment of
various mental disorders. Previous studies have compared the
lithium concentrations in the regional drinking water supplies
with the incidence of mental disorders and homicide rates in Texas
and found a statistically significant inverse relationship. Since
incidence data for only two years (1967-1969) were used in the
studies, the relationships between drinking water lithium with
homicide and suicide rates were reinvestigated for 10 years
(1978-1987) and extended to other crimes, arrests for possession
of opium, cocaine, and their derivatives, and possession of
marijuana, as well as arrests for drunkenness (1981-1986). Using
data for 27 Texas counties it was shown that the incidence rates
of suicide, homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, and theft are
significantly higher in counties whose drinking water supplies
contain little or no lithium than in counties with water lithium
levels ranging from 70-170 micrograms/L. These results suggest
that lithium has moderating effects on suicidal and violent
criminal behavior at levels that may be encountered in municipal
water supplies. Comparisons of drinking water lithium levels with
the incidences of arrests for possession of opium, cocaine, and
their derivatives also produced statistically significant inverse
associations, whereas no significant or consistent associations
were observed with possession of marijuana and drunkenness. These
results suggest that lithium at low dosage levels has a beneficial
effect on human behavior. Lithiation of drinking water is
suggested as a possible means of crime, suicide, and
drug-dependency reduction at the individual and community level.
(Author 's abstract)
 Descriptors: Behavior Drinking water Lithium Public health Trace elements | Biochemistry Environmental effects Water quality control Water | quality management Water quality standards
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