In the Gordon and Sweet stain, there is black granular precipitates on and around the tissue section. Which of the following is a documented cause?

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Artifacts in Gordon and Sweet staining can arise when glassware carries residues into the reagents. Dirty glassware leaves particulate material—dust, soap films, or other contaminants—that can either crystallize or remain suspended during staining. These residues interact with the stain chemistry and manifest as black granular precipitates on and around the tissue sections. Thorough cleaning of glassware and using fresh reagents remove this source of particulates, preventing the appearance of those dark specks. In contrast, using excessively pure water or relying on inaccurate pH mainly affects stain intensity or color shifts rather than producing discrete black precipitates, and while improper cleaning can contribute, the documented culprit for this specific artifact is dirty glassware.