ICT safety worry

Pupils and staff may be at risk from wireless computer networks in schools, a trade union has warned.

Professional Association of Teachers' leader Philip Parkin has written to the government calling for an investigation into the safety of "wi fi".

"I am concerned that so many wireless networks are being installed in schools and colleges without any understanding of the possible long-term consequences. The proliferation of wireless networks could be having serious implications for the health of some staff and pupils without the cause being recognised."

"I am not saying there is a danger, but I have enough concern to ask for it to be investigated.
There are huge commercial pressures which may be why there has not yet been any significant action."

Meanwhile the man who chairs the government's committee on mobile phone safety has warned that children should not use wi-fi linked laptops on their laps.

Retired physics professor Lawrie Challis told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that children are much more sensitive than adults to dangers such as pollutants like lead and UV radiation.

"Since we advise that children should be discouraged from using mobile phones, we should also discourage children from placing their laptop on their lap when they are using wi-fi."