Charred Paper Fiber

This is from a tapelift in the living room of a home. Incandescent light bulbs are generally the source of these particles but electric baseboard heating elements can char paper fibers. The particles that settle on these surfaces in either case tend to char and may then be launched by differences in the thermal coefficient of expansion into the convective air flow over the surface. The fiber has areas that are not charred in this case. The fiber left the hot surface before charring completely.

Transmitted Off Crossed Circular Polarized Light Illumination

Definition/Function:

These are single wood pulp fibers that have charred. They have lost all birefringence and tend to be opaque.

Significance in the Environment:

Charred paper fiber is more common in homes with electric baseboard heating or high intensity quartz-halogen light bulbs. They are not created by fluorescent bulbs, steam heat, or forced air heating. They can be formed by open gas flame heaters typical of some large factory areas.

Charred Paper Fiber

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