The building material used for house building influences the radiation dose of human beings due to natural radioactive substances. The radiation within buildings made of bricks or concrete is higher than in buildings made of wood or some type of pre-assembled units since this building material contains less natural radioactive substances.

Building material

Additional radiation exposure
(mSv/year)

Wood

-0.2* to 0

Chalky sandstone, sandstone

0 to 0.1

Brick, concrete

0.1 to 0.2

Natural stone, technically produced gypsum

0.2 to 0.4

Slag brick, granite

0.4 to 2

Radiation exposure in Germany due to building material,* due to shielding