kept searching for answers on this. I had to discount mold because the spots on the plastic shelves below still had the drips...very hard, no growth or fuzz and no growth or fuzz or spots on the drywall on the ceiling. I think this is the answer.
Thanks to all who replied. ____________________________________________________
alkyd paints do not contain surfactants so use an alkyd paint instead of latex. ______________________ the latex coating tends to extrude surfactant, leaving a slightly brownish residue on the surface. This is termed "surfactant leaching," a process whereby the resin surfactant starts to evaporate before the water due to high humidity levels. These surfactants will easily wash away.