Microwave emissions from police radar

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate police officers exposures to microwaves emitted by traffic radar units at the ocular and testicular level. Additionally, comparisons were made of the radar manufacturers published maximum power density specifications and actual measured power densities taken at the antenna face of those units. Four different speed enforcement agencies and one transportation research institute provided fifty four different radar units for evaluation. Of those units, nine dash mounted. five rear mounted, and three hand held models were included. During this study, only four of the 986 measurements taken exceeded the American National Standards Institute(ANSI) limit of 5 MW/CM2 , and none exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers(IEEE), or Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) standard of 10 MW/CM2 . None of the 812 measurements taken at the officers seated ocular and testicular positions exceeded .04 MW/CM2. In fact, the highest reading observed in the drivers' position was .034 MW/CM2 taken at the 5th percentile testicular level, less than 1% of the lowest current safety standard. Because of the confusion that exists in the medical and scientific communities concerning non-ionizing radiation, the extent of health risks associated with long term exposure to police radar is not yet known. Until science has indisputably proven that long term, low power exposure is not harmful, it is recommended that police departments take steps to limit officer exposure. There are several ways that police departments can limit exposure cheaply and with minimal effort. The purchasing department should first consider radar units with the lowest published maximum power densities. New hand held radar units should not be purchased because they leave open the opportunity for operators to place their bodies in the radar beam path. Purchasing units whose antennae mount outside the patrol vehicle will also lower exposure to microwaves. Finally, training that stresses the importance of using the radar units' stand-by mode when not actually monitoring traffic will further limit exposure.