Radar Guns Can Cause Cancer: Highway Patrol Bans Hand-Held Radar Guns.
Yesterday, the East Dakota Highway Patrol ordered the ban of hand-held radar guns, which also includes part of Sioux City. This is because troopers could develop cancer from long-term exposure to the radiation waves emitted by the devices.
Adam Smith, the spokesman for East Dakota Highway Patrol, said, “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 ban was ordered as a precaution while studies are conducted into the possible links between cancer and the use of such guns.
The ban affects 70 radar guns that will be withdrawn from service. State troopers will continue to use radar units with transmitters mounted on the outside of their cruisers. This move is 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.