SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The South Iowa Highway Patrol ordered a ban of handheld radar guns yesterday over concerns that troopers could develop cancer from exposure to the radiation waves emitted by the devices.

The ban, which affects 70 radar guns being withdrawn from service, was ordered as a precaution while studies of the possible links between the usage of such guns and cancer are being conducted. This comes two months after two months after three officers filed worker’s compensation claims, stating that they had developed cancer from using the units.

Spokesman Adam Smith said of the ban, “The feeling here is to err on the side of caution until more is known about the issue,” and that “the whole situation is under review.”

Troopers will continue to use radar units with transmitters mounted to the outside of their cruisers.