2006-08-30 11:46:57 · 18 answers · asked by kkwong5 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
My first thought was no - but I just found out that I am wrong and the answer is yes - eventually since it is a protein essentially. It turns to dust and does decompose.
Eventually, on bodies after death, the hair disappers ; degrades etc so the answer must be yes and I also found out the info below that also says yes. People think that it grows after death but that is a myth. The appearance of growth is actually caused by the retraction of skin as the surrounding tissue dehydrates, making nails and hair more prominent. I am not too sure what happens with hair that falls off or that you throw away.
I found this info out though:
It accumulates, and it accounts for well over 80% of your household dust, which is soon to be cleaned up. It decomposes, because it's made out of proteins and is biodegradable.
On the Forensic Files, it showed that beetle larvae (an many other larvae) are a major factor in decomposing fallen hair follicles. They're significant because they help determine the age of the hair, and how long it has been about, which helps detectives nail whoever did whatever heinous crime.
2006-08-30 11:48:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hair seems sit around for a long time. It does not seem to want to go into the earth. I do not know about human per se. I have brushed the dog outside and that stuff will not go away. I have to toss it out. I know that someNative American people burn their hair and nails to get rid of them. They do not want bad things to happen to them. This is when they do regular trimming and cutting. I know a woman who told me she did this. I am thinking one cannot just bury it to get rid of it. It must degrade really slowly. I know nails and hair are similar in composition of cells.
2006-08-30 18:53:38 · answer #2 · answered by adobeprincess 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is but it does last a long long time I have a pateint right now with a disorder which causes her to eat her own hair and she developed an intestinal obstruction which required surgery to remove. So hair can withstand stomach acids and intestinal fluids that I know for sure. Hope this helps
2006-08-30 18:56:07 · answer #3 · answered by nylatinanurse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Every part of the body is biodegradable. If it was preserved (as alot of funeral homes will do), then it will last a long time before it finally breaks down. It may take thousands of years to do so or it may take many less than that.
2006-08-30 18:54:51 · answer #4 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is! Human hair is 100% organic matter as it is produced from the human body, therefore is fully biodegradable.
2006-08-30 18:50:26 · answer #5 · answered by AW 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't biodegrade too well, human hair is made of keratin and lasts quite a while that is why they often use it in old crime cases because it is still usable.
2006-08-30 18:49:56 · answer #6 · answered by sgcfx949 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've seen bodies exumed from the grave with hair..... it may fall out of your scalp but it won't fade away... only fade in colour! Maybe it has something to do with how it's preserved.... 'cause when they find a skeleton it's bald.
2006-08-30 18:49:27 · answer #7 · answered by Cambion Chadeauwaulker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ones that fall out yeah. Some of them actually turns to dust.
2006-08-30 18:48:49 · answer #8 · answered by YEEN C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything on the Human body is biodegradable.
Ashes to ashes dust to dust!
2006-08-30 18:54:57 · answer #9 · answered by shevizzle1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. But just imagine if it's non-biodegradable. you would have tons of hair everywhere left on the grounds of former gravesites or battlefields. lollll.
2006-08-30 18:56:29 · answer #10 · answered by Tosh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋