Fuzzy substance on magnetic figure?! What?!

[Lucky_Ladybug]

So I just discovered something appalling tonight and I'm hoping someone here has an answer, because Google is no help whatsoever.

I have a Zam Wessell action figure from Star Wars Episode II, the little one with the detachable right arm. The forearm has a little metal bulb that fits into a magnetic groove in the upper arm. Tonight I took her down and started idly playing with the arm; I've always been fascinated by how it detaches. And there's a bizarre furry/fuzzy substance on both the metal bulb and the magnetic groove! WHAT?!

Has anyone ever experienced this with something magnetic before? Could it just be dust that found its way in? Or could something really be GROWING? It really doesn't look like dust, unless dust can go really weird and furry-looking in a magnetic field. Either way, I am absolutely baffled and horrified and don't dare do anything further at this point unless I can have some idea of what I'm dealing with.

Help?

[melodys_angel]

Sounds like dust to me--if its got a static charge, it can go on end and align.

[kaoskat]

I've had it happen before with magnets. I think hubby said something about what it was causing it but I don't remember. It wasn't concerning whatever it was....

[Galactica]

Iron dust does that.

[Squirrelypaws]

Yeah, sounds like your typical "magnet dust", as I call it. I'm not sure what exactly causes it; I think it's something to do with the magnet deteriorating a bit?  Anyway, I've had it on many a magnetic thing, and it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about.

[Lucky_Ladybug]

Thanks so much. Glad to hear it's likely just dust. I'll see if I can get it off.

[PinkRosedust]

I always wondered what that stuff was too. I never thought to look it up though lol.

[mlp4me]

As long as it's not green and corroding... Glad it's not anything serious.