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It may come as a surprise to some people to find out that everyday objects found in your home are actually radioactive, but according to a new study, items such as bananas and avocados emit radioactive material. 

Of course, when the word "radiation" is mentioned, people tend to think of nuclear reactors or the arms race and the apocalyptic impacts that would result from a mishap or nuclear explosion. Others may think of the illnesses like cancer that are associated with exposure to radiation. 

In an attempt to prove that radioactive doesn't necessarily equate death or some crazy mutated science experiment, researchers from North Carolina State University conducted a study to determine how much radiation is given off by a set of everyday objects. 

(MORE: Climate Change Could Raise Toxins in Food, Report Warns)

“We did this study because understanding how much radiation comes off of common household items helps place radiation readings in context – it puts things in perspective,” said study co-author Robert Hayes in a press release. “If people understand what trace levels of radiation mean, that understanding may help prevent panic.”

The researchers measured both the gamma and beta radiation emitted by everyday items and calculated the radioactivity in microgray per hour (μGy/hr). The results of the study were published in Health Physics.

Potassium found in foods like avocados and bananas give off trace amounts of radiation. The study found that avocados give off 0.16 μGy/hr of gamma radiation while bananas emit 0.17 μGy/hr.

It could be that your house itself emits radiation, especially if it is made from brick. The researchers found that americium, which is found in house bricks, is also slightly radioactive, emitting 0.15 μGy/hr. Other non-edible items also emit radiation, including smoke detectors, which give off 0.16 μGy/hr, and air filters, which emit 0.17 μGy/hr.

Hayes said that no one should panic by the results, noting that "if you’re surprised that your fruit is emitting gamma radiation, don’t panic. The regulatory level for workers – which is safe – is exposure to 50,000 μGy per year. The levels we’re talking about in your household are incredibly low.”

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Radioactive Reindeer