unpleasant odor with steam radiator

Andy Smyth

Chicago area 30 unit building built in 1928. My unit has 5 2pipe steam radiators and (only) the kitchen radiator seems to produce an unpleasant odor. Another odd thing is 4 of the five radiators (all located on outside walls) get what appears to be plaster dust eminating up out of the walls and onto to the wood floors under or right near these radiators during the winter season. Does anyone know what either of these problems might be?

Unknown

Unpleasant odor from kitchen radiator

My first suspicion would be food residue or oil/grease splatter from cooking that has adhered to the rad and is now vaporizing with the heat. Odors can also come from air vents, and usually have to do with boiler water treatment chemicals or water chemistry issues. They usually are transient, and dissapate shortly after the vents close.

Convection air currents can cause dust buildup around baseboard and radiators. Check for any holes for pipes, wires etc, and plug them. White dust usually orginates from daily living, and includes skin flakes, fibers, cosmetics, sheetrock/plaster dust, dust from outdoors and many other sources. Black dust may originate from industrial pollution or car exhaust, or leaks in the smokepipe, or burning candles. Brown dust that is oily, and smears when you wipe it is usually indicative of tobacco or cooking smoke.

What does the odor smell like?

Andy Smyth

Bad smell when steam heat turns on

Sort of organic.

Brad White_203

Used to kick the dog for that kind of smell

I wonder if there are any underground returns taking in ground water?

I worked on a system in Roanoke VA which had leaking returns through what must have been bogs below grade. The condensate came back with what looked like coffee grounds and had an earthy smell to them, not unlike clay.

Just a thought. Of course you say it is isolated to one radiator but that efflorescence it seems from your description has me thinking of underground moisture.