Exhaust vent to nowhere

The super's jerking you around. Write the managing agent. If no response, then the board, then 311.

NYC Building Code requires mechanical exhaust of windowless bathrooms. The ducts and the exhaust fans on the roof are the co-op's responsibility, not yours.

There's most likely a giant fan on the roof sucking air up through ducts 24/7. That's required by (health-related) code ... although not sure when it was implemented. If your building had it, they are required by law to keep the fan working, at a minimum rate corresponding to the volume of the room. Same thing for a windowless kitchen.

The super should be able to show you where the (covered) duct is. If not, ask neighbors.

If you have a dropped ceiling in the bathroom, whoever did it might have attempted to hook up a suburban-type ceiling vent with the original vent duct, which is most likely located on the wall a foot or so down from the (original) ceiling, possibly in the tub area.

I thought based on the title that this thread was about columbiacounty. Sorry, my bad.

Is there any evidence (other than the super's assumption of the added vent) that your bathroom has undergone major renovations since the 1950s? If a wall has been added, maybe the original ductwork integrity has been compromised. Even so, NWT is correct that windowless bathrooms require exhaust. Have you asked your neighbors up and down in the same line how their bathrooms are vented? Can you locate a vent exhaust on your roof that corresponds to your apt. line? Is there a fan attached or is it passive? Is it blocked? This will take some time and effort, but a satisfactory goal exists of greater efficacy than your super's unfortunate fatalism. Let us know what you find out!

Thanks, good to know that it's the building's responsibility. Interestingly, the problem has gotten much better following the super's investigation earlier today.

There has definitely been a renovation of the bathroom by the previous owner. The exhaust fan and grille are new Panasonic ones. I will try removing the fan assembly tomorrow to see where it goes.

You should keep investigating, but the reference to "new Panasonic" exhaust fan raises some questions. Unless you are on the top floor or two, a point of use fan has no ability to push air up a shaft and out the roof. Bathrooms typically are exhausted by a mechanical fan on the roof. One does not typically see surface mounted exaust fans in high rise buildings (and if this is exausting into your wall cavity you likely have a serious mold problem).

nyc_sport is correct about the mold. Don't go poking around in there yourself levliko.

Pardon my ignorance, but what's the risk here? Getting sick from exposure to the mold?

I'm on floor 9 of 13.

Yes, levliko.
You don't have any ventilation in your bathroom. If you poke around you will inhale it. You might touch it and a couple of spores get on your hand, skin irritation and possibly touch your face and spread it on you.

and I think your super either doesn't know what he's talking about or is trying to get you to cover the vent (VERY BAD idea for a permenant solution) to avoid fixing the problem because it is the co-op's responsibilty to fix and that will cost $$.

Contact the building's manging agent by e-mail and cc. the board if you have a boardmember's e-mail.
Report what the super suggested and request that a ventilation pro be sent to your apt. to investigate.

foul odor = mold

If not response: follow NWT's suggestion.

and keep your ac running, even when you go out, until the problem is repaired.
sleep with your bedroom door closed.
That's the advice I received from ventilation/mold pros.

Thanks, as soon as the smell reappears I'll escalate to building management. Will keep the thread updated.