A ban was ordered on hand- held radar guns used by East Dakota highway patrol yesterday in Sioux City, IA. There has been concerns that the troopers could develop cancer from the long term exposure to the radiation waves emitted by the the radar guns.
Spokesman Adam Smith, claims “The feeling here is to err on the side of caution until more is known about the issue….The whole situation is under review.” The move 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 units.
The ban was ordered after a study was being conducted between the the possible link to cancer and these select radar guns being used. The ban affects 70 radar guns that will withdrawn from service.
State troopers will continue however to use radar units with transmitters mounted on the outside of their cruisers.