MILLIONS of children and thousands of teachers could be at risk of damaging their eyesight by using high-tech whiteboards that the Government is encouraging all schools to install.

Tests carried out by the National Radiological Protection Board have shown that the peripheral vision of users may be harmed even when they are not looking directly into the beam of the projector, causing tunnel vision.

Around 200,000 whiteboards have been installed in classrooms around the country, but few teachers appear to be aware of the guidelines on their use or the potential dangers from them. Last night teaching unions and suppliers were calling on the Government to issue guidelines with all whiteboards, instructing teachers how to use them safely.

Concerns about the possible risks first arose three years ago, when the engineers at Selectasize Visual Aids Ltd, who were installing some of the whiteboards, found themselves being dazzled. “When we first took a look at them in 2002, our engineers became concerned about the projectors’ bright lights causing stars in their eyes,” said Sam Livermore, the managing director. The boards work by using a projector to screen an image on to an interactive white board in the classroom, which allows the teacher to open files and call up material during lessons. The computer is connected to the screen with a wireless connection. By touching the screen the teacher can use the board as they would a mouse on a desktop.

Mr Livermore contacted experts, including Dr Chris Hull, senior lecturer in clinical and visual optics at City University, London, and the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, which procures all technology for state schools.

The Health and Safety Executive investigated his concerns. In a letter dated May 3, 2002, Steve Walker, Principal Specialist Inspector (Radiation), wrote that after investigation by the NRPB, there appeared little damage to eyesight from looking directly into the beam, as most children and adults would look away. However, he added: “There remains a possibility that a viewer’s peripheral retina could be overexposed even when he or she is not actually staring at the projector’ s apparent source.”

The letter continued that in this case the person would not look away because “no protective aversion response is evoked in viewers”.

Using the limits recommended by the International Committee of Non-Iodising Radio Protection, the NRPB discovered that if a person looked into a bright beam from a few metres away for around 20 seconds, they could damage the retina. But like looking into the sun, most people would turn away before then.

However, Mr Walker said he was confident that teachers and children would not be at risk if they followed the guidelines.

Each board carries safety guidelines. At Robin Hood primary school in Birmingham, Anne Afton, the deputy head said that the school had seven whiteboards but staff were unaware of official guidelines.

“We have not received our training from the LEA yet, that doesn’t happen until June, but we’ve had the boards for a term and I’ve never heard of any guidelines,” she said.

Last night Bob Carstairs, assistant secretary general to the Secondary Heads Association, said there was a clear need to educate people.

“If it is a problem, the Government must ensure that the guidelines are made clear to teachers and that every school has the instruction and information to hand,” he said.

A Department for Education and Skills spokesperson said: “Safety issues relating to the use of electronic whiteboards are clearly highlighted on both the BECTA and DfES websites.”

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