2007-05-27 13:16:56 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Asbestos.
It's a mineral. The reason that it's used as a fire retardant is that the crystals it forms are like little microscopic straws. A given weight of asbestos holds a LOT of air, thus it insulates against heat. It is this same structure that makes it so damaging to life forms as the crystals are inhaled and act like little hollow spears that pierce the tissues of the lung. This damages millions of cells at a time, causes excessive fluid build up, cysts to attempt to protect the damaged cells, and eventually to cancer.
2007-05-27 13:22:30 · answer #1 · answered by Rob_n_Liz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Asbestos. It is mined and made into insulation, brakes etc.
2007-05-27 20:23:31 · answer #2 · answered by renpen 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a type of mineral that is flexible as well as very dangerous depending of which formation type of mineral. The dust form is cancerous because it is not readily removed from the body.
2007-05-27 20:29:49 · answer #3 · answered by no_einstein 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋