East Dakota Highway patrol recently ordered the ban of hand-held radar guns. The ban was put in place due to concerns that troopers could develop cancer from longterm exposure to the radiation waves emitted by the devices. The ban takes place in Eastern Dakota and parts of the Sioux City, Iowa area.

Adam Smith addressed the public saying “The feeling here is to err on the side of caution until more is known about the issue.” The situation is curenlty under further review.

The issues with the radar guns came to light after three municipal officers in Central City filed workman’s compensations claims. The officers claimed they developed cancer from using the hand-held units.

The ban affects only hand-held radar guns, State troopers will continue to use radar units with transmitters mounted on the outside of their cruisers.