Written question asked by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 4 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 February 2010. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 February 2010 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Schools: Health Hazards

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether he has made an assessment of the merits of ensuring that there are no wireless device radiations in (a) schools and (b) childcare centres.

Answer: The Department considers the merits of wireless device radiations in schools or child care centres on the basis of assessments and advice provided by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The HPA advises the Government in relation to the protection of communities from radiation hazards, including those associated with exposure to non-ionising radiation such as the radio waves from wireless communication systems. The HPA concluded that there is no consistent evidence to date that exposure to radio waves from wireless networks adversely affects the health of the general population and that there is no reason why schools and others should not use Wi-Fi equipment.

Secondary information