Health Canada is studying air quality and pollution in homes across Canada, including 50 randomly chosen in Edmonton.

With the help of a research team from the University of Alberta, the homes are being checked for a range of indoor pollutants, including dust, smoke and chemical levels.

Early results show carbon monoxide levels in the Edmonton homes are within the normal range.

Pat Stagg volunteered to be one of the participants and have her home checked.

"We have all wood panelling and it's been there since we've moved, which was in 1976-1977, and I'm just wondering if there's anything lurking amongst those walls," she said.

The research team visited Stagg's home. Pollutants were measured inside and outside the home over seven or eight days.

House dust was also collected.

The study also involves installation of air quality monitors.

Experts say the main factors affecting air quality inside homes include renovations, cleaning products, ventilation and the age of the home.

"Sometimes if we get a northeast wind you can smell the exhaust from the refinery. When the traffic is coming in on 98th Avenue from the east, you can smell the pollution from the cars," said Stagg.

The Staggs fill out a daily questionnaire: what they cooked, how they cooked it, whether they opened windows and the number of times their car was left in the garage.

Results from the Staggs' house and others across the country will be shared with Health Canada, which is also compiling data from homes in Halifax, Quebec City, Windsor, Ont., and Regina.