New Wi-Fi tests 'unlikely to show health risk'

A new series of tests being carried out on wireless local area networks (WLAN) and Wi-Fi internet connection systems are unlikely to reveal potential health problems from their use, it has been suggested.

With Wi-Fi services recently having become more established in schools, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has launched the examination of the devices which emit radio signals to transfer data.

These are regularly used by firms to boost the range of their VoIP systems - allowing their employees to keep in contact when away from the office over a secure IP PBX service.

But the HPA has dismissed suggestions that the new tests will uncover dangerous levels of radiation being produced by the wireless systems, which could potentially damage the health of users.

Downplaying the risk of such a finding, the HPA said in a statement: "There is no consistent evidence to date that Wi-Fi and WLANs adversely affect the health of the general population."

Earlier in the year, the Professional Association of Teachers claimed that children in schools were being used as 'guinea pigs' for the wireless networking systems, but the HPA pointed out that the power output of Wi-Fi signals are as little as 100 milliwatts, which is well below international guidelines.