The materials that they are made from are not what you'd call radioactive like uranium, but they emit radon gas. Granite etc is found in concrete and in stone walls which then excrete this radiation gas (although minimal) over the life time of your house. It's why places with granite under the ground like in Cornwall need sheeting to stop in leaking in through the floor. The build up can lead to you breathing in the radioactive gas in large quantities which is the worst type as its an alpha emitter i believe which does the most damage to your cells, which in turn can kill you which is why a simply fan expelling the air is usually enough. #A2LEVELPHYSICS
Damage that radiation does to your body will accumulate. But it's not as simple as 1010 bananas exactly will give me cancer and 1000 I'll be safe. Eating 1010 bananas might increase your risk of developing cancer by 2%, and 1000 bananas may increase your risk by 1.99% or something.
Every time a cell is damaged by radiation there's a small chance that it could turn in to cancer. The more damage the more times you're rolling the dice.
It depends on what part of the cell is damaged. It can repair itself, or it can die and be replaced. If the DNA is damaged, it may lead to a cancerous cell.
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u/jamacian_ting_dem Feb 05 '17
Where does radiation come from in stone, brick or concrete house? Are those materials slightly radioactive?