(1) Because we're
unreasonable in our measurements... Conductivity
spans 33 magnitudes from metals to good insulators. If we were more reasonable, we would just say "no conductivity".
If you've already made or seen such a measure, it's totally
. The material must be processed in a part shaped to allow the measure, because surface currents would otherwise overwhelm volume conductivity by many magnitudes. Cleanliness is
. Of course, moisture is totally excluded - good plastic insulators are essentially the hydrophobic ones. And did I mention that atmosphere is undesired?
(2) Because a few charge carriers subsist, sure. Essentially
impurities: polymerization initiators, impurities in ceramic, moisture. If these could be eliminated (improbable) then
thermal energy creates a few carriers, even in insulators - normally you don't see this cause.
(3)
Radioactive materials (within the insulator) create charge carriers by ionization. One advantage to organic materials, but beware
14C. Is carbon from petrol better than bio-produced...?
In silicon chips, radioactivity can be a significant source for leakage that erases Prom memory over time, if not controlled.
Cosmic rays can't be avoided - just reduced by going very deep underground.