Is your home safe? Experts warn odourless radioactive gas can cause lung cancer

Health Canada is urging Canadians to check their homes for radon, a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the ground and can leak into homes through foundation cracks or gaps around pipes. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada, according to Grey Bruce Public Health Unit (GBPH).

“Radon can build up in homes of any size and any age. And because you can’t see, smell, or taste radon, testing is the only way to know if this gas is in your home,” says Andrew Barton, senior public health manager at GBPH.

The health unit reminds residents that November is an ideal time of year to test for the invisible, odourless, and tasteless radioactive gas.

Health Canada even recommends that homeowners measure radon for at least three months, ideally during home-heating season.

The report goes on to say that long periods of exposure to high levels of radon in your home may lead to lung cancer, accounting for about 16 per cent of all cases annually.

GBPH unit says when radon escapes into the outdoor, it becomes diluted. But, it is known to seep into homes through cracks in the foundation.

If you can't smell it, or see it, then you may be asking yourself how do you test for it?

The unit says there are two ways residents can test for radon indoors. They can buy a do-it-yourself radon test kit or hire a radon measurement professional to test their home.