Asbestos are naturally occurring fibrous minerals as silicates with a structure of thin fibrous crystals, containing oxides of magnesium, iron, aluminum and sodium, and silicon dioxide. Asbestos fibres will be released to air in powdery and it may accumulate in the lung to cause organ canceration if absorbed by human bodies. Owing to good tensile strength, insulation, anti-corrosion and inflammability, asbestos are important materials applied in flame retardants and insulation.

Flame retardants are functional additives that impart flame retardancy to flammable polymers. According to the different components, it can be divided into three types: inorganic flame retardants, organic flame retardants and organic and inorganic mixed flame retardants. Inorganic flame retardants are currently the most widely used type of flame retardants, mainly hydrates of hydroxides and oxides of aluminum, magnesium, boron, antimony, and molybdenum. The application products include aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, Monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, ammonium chloride, boric acid, antimony trioxide, silicon, etc. Organic flame retardants mainly include organic halides (organo bromine and organic chlorine), organic phosphide, organic nitrogen, and organic phosphorus/nitrogen intumescent type.