The scare over possible effects of wireless radiation from Wi-Fi networks in schools on children could have far-reaching effects - if a study could be put in place which could give a concrete answer to the question 'Does Wi-Fi carry a risk to children?'

Unfortunately how long it would take for the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to prepare and execute a methodology which could statistically pick up children who had been affected by wireless radiation at these frequencies, is anybody's guess. With mobile phone usage studies, observers tried to pick up the incidence of gliomas (central nervous system tumours), which occur mostly in the brain. Professional epidemiologists however, suggest that even defining what diseases exposure to Wi-Fi radiation children could acquire, would be very difficult. The number of separate variables which would need to be accounted for in such a trial could be on a par with trying to predict the weather.

The Professional Association of Teachers general secretary, Philip Parkin has written to the education secretary, "To ask for a full scientific investigation into the effects of Wi-Fi networks in schools." Step forward Labour's education secretary Alan Johnson who might now have to lay down on this 'bed of nails' for decades. However, since microwave radiation alters molecular rotation or spin, Labour's expertise in this department could yet produce a result.