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If the air in your home could talk, what would it reveal about your health five or ten years from now? We pull back the curtain on radon—the silent, odorless gas that seeps up from soil and quietly becomes a leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers—and we do it without the myths and fearmongering that clutter the internet. Jim and Laura walk through how radon forms from uranium in rock and soil, why its decay products like polonium are the true lung offenders, and what that means for families in regions like Ohio where geology makes elevated levels common.

You’ll hear why you can’t smell radon, why “feeling sick” isn’t a reliable sign, and how smoking multiplies the risk by eight. We get practical about testing: what a 48-hour monitor tells you, why levels swing with weather and seasons, and why winter’s closed windows and frozen ground often push readings higher. We also talk dollars and sense—what mitigation typically costs, what “action level” actually means, and why spending around $1,300 to $1,500 can be one of the best health investments you make for your home.

We fact-check a claim that radon and natural gas combine into something dangerous. Chemistry check: radon is a noble gas and doesn’t react; the rotten egg smell from a leak is mercaptan, which can irritate but doesn’t create a new toxin with radon. Our story archive includes a landmark high-radon case that changed policy and a curious call about “radioactive furniture,” both reminding us how invisible exposures leave very real traces. Along the way, we share simple steps for handling small gas leaks, considering VOCs and formaldehyde after renovations, and turning indoor air from a question mark into a plan.

Ready to act on what you can’t smell? Start with a radon test this winter, fix leaks promptly, and keep your air clear with targeted checks for mold and VOCs when needed. If this conversation helps, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s moving or renovating, and leave a quick rating to help others find trustworthy home health guidance.

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To learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Three-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com)

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