Operational Recommendations
Subsequent to an August 1992 Congressional hearing convened by Senator Joseph Lieberman of
Connecticut on the safety of police traffic radar devices, the U.S. Congress directed the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to study the cancer incidence among law
enforcement officers who had used traffic radar devices.
In June 1995 NIOSH issued a report titled Occupational Exposure of Police Officers to
Microwave Radiation from Traffic Radar Devices describing their findings, including an
exposure assessment, an analysis of existing record sources, and a summary of their
recommendations. The report concluded that there was not a sufficient basis to identify health
risks to humans, although the possibility could not be ruled out. The following are quoted
directly from the report and are procedures that are recommended to reduce or prevent exposure
to microwave energy emitted from traffic radar devices.
The Ranger EZ fully conforms to all of
these guidelines.
1. When using two-piece radar units, the antenna should be mounted so that the radar beam
is not directed toward the vehicle occupants. The preferred mounting location would be
outside the vehicle altogether, although this may not be practical with older units that
cannot withstand adverse weather conditions. Other options, e.g., mounting on the
dashboard of the vehicle, are acceptable if the antenna is at all times directed away from
the operator or other vehicle occupants. However, the antenna must be installed to
provide a separation of at least 40 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or
operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
2. Radar antennas should be tested periodically, e.g. annually, or after exceptional
mechanical trauma to the device, for radiation leakage or back scatter in a direction other
than that intended by the antenna beam pattern.
3. Each operator should receive training in the proper use of traffic radar before operating
the device. This training should include a discussion of the health risks of exposure to
microwave radiation and information on how to minimize operator exposure.
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