> Not finding any amount of radiation acceptable is where I seem to be losing most of the people who understand themselves to be pragmatic supporters of nuclear energy in this discussion.

Because background radiation means we are always exposed to it. So setting a no tolerance policy doesn't make sense.

People go to these http://resources.yesican-science.ca/trek/radiation/final/ear... places for a vacation, to enjoy the warmth!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_no-threshold_model vs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_hormesis