East Dakota Highway patrol issued a ban of hand-held radar guns yesterday, which includes part of the Sioux City, Iowa area. This ban was ordered as a precaution because of concerns that troopers could develop cancer from longterm exposure to the radiation waves emitted by the devices. Studies are being conducting that show a possible link between cancer and the use of such guns. “The feeling here is to err on the side of caution until more is known about the issue,” Adam Smith said. “The whole situation is under review.”

This ban affects 70 radar guns that will be withdrawn from service. Troopers will continue to use radar units with transmitters mounted on the outside of their cruisers. The ban is considered to be the first of its kind by a state police agency. It comes two months after three municipal officers in Central City filed workman’s compensation claims, saying they developed cancer from using the hand-held devices.

More information is to come as further studies are conducted.