Pressing Questions

After researching different topics I might run into along the way in my research, I came up with a few questions I will have to answer in the future. The topics in the questions ranged from the methodology involved in measuring radiation to the existing governmental standards and how they are determined. Below is a condensed list of what I came up with.

What are the most common objections to nuclear energy and is community radiation safety a main problem (these were briefly covered in the post "Understanding Community Concerns")?

What is the proper practice for measuring community radiation (EPA, private studies, etc.)? What are the variables in measuring radiation (i.e. altitude, soil, elements, etc.)? How do the measurement methods differ by variable? What are the governmental standards for background radiation levels in a place in the U.S (EPA)? What are the standards measured in? What are the levels in other countries? What are those levels and how do they physically affect a community?

What are other factors that cause radiation? What do the effects of radiation, if it is physically affecting communities, look like overall? Is there regional variation and if so, what are the differences? Are there existing programs for measuring radiation nationwide?

What equipment is needed for measurements? How long does each measurement take and what is the procedure for measurement?

In the areas that have higher background or community radiation, what are some events or outside variables that may have caused it to be higher?

I will continue to make questions, and if any of you have question suggestions, feel free to let me know via email.