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Photographic gallery.  Thousands of particles under the microscope.

Natural Gas Fireplace Debris

Transmitted Off Crossed Polarized Light Illumination

Glass fiber is a common particle from gas fired fireplaces. It is often associated with iron oxide
discolored ceramic material. The glass fiber has two main sources. The first is the "cinder bed" under
the ceramic logs. This bed of glass fiber helps to disperse the gas flame and glows red to simulate
and actual bed of coals. The second source is the glass fiber insulation in the duct and around the
firebox. The fibers in this image are from the cinder bed as is indicated by the "burned" minerals
associated with them. The fibers in the cinder bed may crystallize after long and repeated exposure
to high temperatures. That is shown in another photograph that is part of this collection.