User Manual
50
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 BEE III 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.