The Iowa Highway patrol banned hand-held radar guns yesterday because of possible cancer risks.

The Iowa Highway patrol is shifting its method of checking people’s speed as they travel. The ban will pull 70 hand-held units from service. They will now focus on using radar units mounted outside the patrol car rather than hand-held units.

Recently, three officers from Cedar Rapids, IA filed for compensation claiming that use of the hand-held units caused them to develop cancer. A study is being conducted to determine if long term exposure to radiation emitted by these devices can be linked to cancer.

Spokesman Adam Berluti said, “The feeling here is to err on the side of caution until the more is known about the issue.”

This move is considered the first of its kind by a state agency.