Concern about 'electronic smog' and the possible dangers it poses to children's' health has prompted the UK Health Protection Agency to demand an investigation into the use of wireless communications networks (Wi-Fi) in classrooms.

Wi-Fi is known to give off radiation, just as cell phones do. While research has shown that the radiation emitted from mobile phones and phone masts can be linked to cancer and brain damage, the dangers of Wi-Fi radiation have not been clearly determined.

Some some scientists are concerned that this radiation could cause cancer and premature senility. Since it is estimated that more than half of primary schools and almost all secondary schools in the UK are using it, there is growing pressure on the government to examine Wi-Fi's potential health hazards.

Sir William Stewart, the chairman of the Health Protection Agency, has been involved in the inquiries into the hazards of mobile phones and is advising that students should be monitored for any ill effects from exposure to Wi-Fi radiation.

There are some who are already convinced that Wi-Fi radiation is dangerous. Professor Olle Johansson, of Sweden's Karolinska Institute, is adamant that science has already proved the adverse health effects and wonders "Do we not know enough already to say, 'Stop!'?"

What's going to happen if they do find that Wi-Fi radiation is harmful? When cell phone radiation was determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals, we didn't get rid of them and return to standard land-line phones. Like cell phones, we are far too dependent upon our wireless networks to ever plug back in.