Health concerns prompt British wi-fi study

British officials have launched an investigation into the possible health risks of schools' wireless Internet systems amid a flurry of health concerns.

With several consumer groups alleging such Internet connections in British schools could potentially pose health risks to the students inside, the Health Protection Agency initiated a detailed study into the matter this week, The Telegraph said Saturday. The study is expected to take two years to complete and cost more than $610,000.

Wireless Internet systems are in place throughout most of Britain's secondary schools and in more than half of the country's primary schools.

While consumer groups have been critical of the high-tech systems, some HPA officials have said the study likely will reveal they pose little to no threat for British students.

"The signals are very low power, typically 0.1 watt in both the computer and the router, and the results so far show exposures are well within guidelines," HPA chief executive Pat Troop said. "Given this, there is no particular reason why schools and others should not continue to use wi-fi or other wireless networks."

Copyright 2007 by United Press International