The compound is an important feedstock for the pharmaceutical, electrochemical, and glass industries. In medicine, lithium carbonate is prescribed as a mood stabilizer for the treatment of bipolar disorder and sometimes for schizophrenia; dosage is carefully controlled due to a narrow therapeutic window and potential toxicity. In the manufacturing of batteries, lithium carbonate serves as the lithium source in lithium‑ion battery cathode materials, enabling high energy density in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and grid‑scale storage systems. Additionally, the compound is used in the glass and ceramics industry to produce stabilised soda–lime glass with improved thermal shock resistance and in the production of certain pharmaceuticals and ceramic pigments.
Handling of lithium carbonate requires standard safety precautions. The compound is not highly toxic, but ingestion of large amounts can lead to lithium toxicity, manifesting as nausea, diarrhoea, tremor, and, in severe cases, renal failure. The substance is moderately caustic and should be kept out of reach of children. The World Health Organization classifies lithium carbonate as a GHS Class 4 material—"flammable liquid"—though it is not itself flammable; the classification refers to its potential hazards when dispersed in a flammable environment.
Environmental concerns regarding lithium carbonate arise primarily from the mining and refining processes. Extraction of lithium from brine or hard‑rock sources can result in large volumes of wastewater and high salinity by‑products, requiring careful management to avoid contamination of local water supplies. Continued research into more sustainable lithium extraction methods and recycling of lithium from spent batteries aims to reduce the ecological footprint of this essential material.