Government Take Steps to Address Wireless Worries

As the use of Wi-Fi Internet connections increase, so do fears about its potential health risks. Just a month ago, Philip Parkin, General Secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, spoke out about the need for an inquiry into the safety of these wireless networks and asked for their use in schools to be suspended until a full risk assessment had been undertaken. The government have responded by announcing that the Healthcare Protection Agency (HPA) will be carrying out an intensive two-year study into Wi-Fi networks and their related health risks.

Concern about Wi-Fi stems from research on mobile phones. Recent tests in Sweden shows that regular mobile phone users are two and a half times more likely to develop tumours than those who use mobile telephones less frequently. However, many experts believe that the emissions from Wi-Fi equipment will be substantially lower than those from a mobile telephone. Peter Lyons of the Open Learning Partnership – an organisation that installs Wi-Fi in hospitals – believes the amount of radiation omitted from Wi-Fi would be minimal. He said: “Wi-Fi gives out a far less powerful output than a mobile phone mast.”

The HPA will begin their testing in a laboratory, measuring the emissions from model computers and using dummies to see how the electromagnetic radiation omitted affects the body. The dummies are fitted with microwave radiation monitors, which make them highly sensitive to this kind of energy. After these initial tests, the HPA plan to move into the workplace, the home and the classroom to assess emissions further.

Although this is a lengthy and rather intensive programme of monitoring and testing, Philip Parkin feels it is vitally important to conduct such a through investigation in this case. He said: “What we want is a thorough investigation that can either confirm there is something to worry about, or completely assuage any fears people might have about Wi-Fi.”

Sources:

Guardian

Times