Teachers demand Wi-Fi health investigation

Making us sick, students crazy

By Lucy Sherriff • Get more from this author

Posted in Data Networking, 23rd April 2007 15:26 GMT

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A teacher's union has written to the education secretary to demand an immediate investigation into the possible health effects of Wi-Fi networks.

The Professional Association of Teachers say it is concerned that the networks are making pupils behave badly, and could be contributing to poor health of teachers. Wi-Fi is installed in around 80 per cent of secondary schools, and up to half of primary schools.

The teachers' union's concerns are echoed by Sir William Stewart, chairman of the Health Protection Agency. He has called for close monitoring of pupils for any signs of ill health.

The letter comes just days after a report into the possible health effects of electromagnetic radiation from power lines.

The report suggests that the health risks would be best reduced by banning the construction of new homes within 60 metre corridors either side of overhead power lines, but stops short of calling for such a measure.

Full marks to the PAT for fingering Wi-Fi as the course of teachers maladies. A less sympathetic organisation might have put the headaches and nausea down to the drink and drunks-fuelled haze that the National Union of Teachers says it members slip into as a result of their stressful jobs. ®

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