NYC heat pole

d7339

Hi, first time living in a nyc apartment with steam heating. Around the floor of the pole in my living room, all this dust and debris and what even looks like drywall collects. What is the cause? Is it dangerous? there is another pole in the bathroom but it does not have this issue.

Long Beach Ed

Probably no more "dangerous" than any other dirt and dust migrating from a hole in the wall. I suppose you can have it tested to see if it contains asbestos or lead, but there's little you can do if it does, other than seal up the opening if you find that objectionable.

EBEBRATT-Ed

When the pipe is hot the heat flow tends to move dust around. The same way window shades get dirty when warmed by the sun. The heat from the sum moves air around the window shades.

bburd

That is a steam pipe and will expand and contract as it heats and cools. It's probably shaking loose a bit of debris from above when it does this. They are supposed to have a sleeve to keep that to a minimum, but they sometimes don't.

If you decide to caulk the upper opening, you'll have to use something very flexible.