Heating pipes do basically two things; they carry heated water to the radiators and lose heat. Since the idea is to distribute the heat in the rooms not along the way to them, heating pipes are often insulated to fix this problem.
Back many years ago the insulation of choice was asbestos. Asbestos is really a great insulator and has many other desirable characteristics that make it a great additive for many products. Unfortunately it also has one little flaw, it causes lung disease.
Consequently because asbestos is a known health hazard when it's found in a home it is remediated. This can either be by encapsulation or removal. Removal is by far a more involved and costly process.
When asbestos is professionally removed the area where the material is located is completely seal off. Large industrial HEPA filters are put in place to ventilate the area and capture the loose fibers. The workers and materials must enter and exit through an air lock and shower. Like I said it's an involved process.
Every bit of material is removed and when all work is complete air samples are taken and analyzed to be sure the area is clean.
There are a minority of individuals who will either through ignorance or stinginess remove asbestos from pipes themselves. They will dispose of the material usually in the trash which is illegal.
Subsequently when inspecting a home and I find white snowy residue on heating pipes it raises a big concern. This tells me that; 1) asbestos insulation was on the pipes at sometime in the past and 2) it was not professionally and safely removed. The area would be considered "dirty", meaning asbestos fibers are in all likelihood floating around in the area.
When seeing suspected asbestos residue there should be a concern that an environmental hazard may be present. In that situation staying out of the area and having it tested would be the best course of action.
James Quarello
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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