Applied Concepts Inc ACMI006 Manuale Utente
24
MICROWAVE RADIATION
The following section has been supplied courtesy of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
UPDATE ON POSSIBLE HAZARDS
OF TRAFFIC RADAR DEVICES
July 20, 1992
TO: CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL POLICE OFFICIALS
Recent stories in the news media have focused attention on the possibility that the traffic radar devices used by police officers might
increase their risk of cancer, particularly testicular cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prepared the following
information to inform police officers about what is known--and what remains unknown--about this question. We urge you to make this
Update available to the officers under your jurisdiction. Feel free to photocopy this Update as needed.
Recent stories in the news media have focused attention on the possibility that the traffic radar devices used by police officers might
increase their risk of cancer, particularly testicular cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prepared the following
information to inform police officers about what is known--and what remains unknown--about this question. We urge you to make this
Update available to the officers under your jurisdiction. Feel free to photocopy this Update as needed.
What kind of radiation is emitted by traffic radar units?
These devices emit microwave radiation similar to the type produced inside microwave ovens, but at a power level more than 10,000
times lower. The radiation travels from the front of the radar device in a narrow, cone-shaped beam, although some of it may be
reflected back from hard surfaces such as metal and glass. The amount of radiation decreases rapidly with distance from the source, so
that the farther the devices are kept from the body, the lower the exposure.
These devices emit microwave radiation similar to the type produced inside microwave ovens, but at a power level more than 10,000
times lower. The radiation travels from the front of the radar device in a narrow, cone-shaped beam, although some of it may be
reflected back from hard surfaces such as metal and glass. The amount of radiation decreases rapidly with distance from the source, so
that the farther the devices are kept from the body, the lower the exposure.
Is there any experimental evidence that the levels of microwave radiation from a traffic radar device can be dangerous?
Although it is known that very high levels of microwave radiation can be harmful, there is no firm experimental evidence at present that
the much lower levels of radiation emitted by traffic radar devices can be hazardous. There are some animal studies that suggest that low
levels of radar can cause biological changes, but it is not known whether these results apply to humans. Also, most of these studies were
done with a different type of microwave radiation than that produced by traffic radar devices.
Although it is known that very high levels of microwave radiation can be harmful, there is no firm experimental evidence at present that
the much lower levels of radiation emitted by traffic radar devices can be hazardous. There are some animal studies that suggest that low
levels of radar can cause biological changes, but it is not known whether these results apply to humans. Also, most of these studies were
done with a different type of microwave radiation than that produced by traffic radar devices.
What about the cancers that have occurred in police officers who used traffic radar devices for long periods of time?
It is true that some officers who have used these devices have experienced cancer. But it is important to understand that these types of
cancers also occur among people who haven't used radar devices. That's why it is not possible to tell whether any individual officer's
cancer arose because of the radar, or whether it would have happened anyway. The key question is whether the risk of getting a
particular form of cancer is greater among people who work with the radar devices than among the rest of the population. And
the only way to answer that question is to compare the cancer rates among radar- using police officers with people who don't work with
radar, or with the cancer rates that would be expected in the general population.
FDA has made a preliminary comparison between the number of cancers reported in police officers who use traffic radar devices and
cancer rates in the general population. Based on case reports we have so far, the comparison does not appear to show a greater cancer
rate among the police, but it is too soon to conclude that there is no risk.
It is true that some officers who have used these devices have experienced cancer. But it is important to understand that these types of
cancers also occur among people who haven't used radar devices. That's why it is not possible to tell whether any individual officer's
cancer arose because of the radar, or whether it would have happened anyway. The key question is whether the risk of getting a
particular form of cancer is greater among people who work with the radar devices than among the rest of the population. And
the only way to answer that question is to compare the cancer rates among radar- using police officers with people who don't work with
radar, or with the cancer rates that would be expected in the general population.
FDA has made a preliminary comparison between the number of cancers reported in police officers who use traffic radar devices and
cancer rates in the general population. Based on case reports we have so far, the comparison does not appear to show a greater cancer
rate among the police, but it is too soon to conclude that there is no risk.
What's FDA doing to address the question of cancer risk?
FDA will continue to evaluate the research performed by microwave scientists around the world to see if their results apply to traffic
radar devices. In addition, FDA will work with police organizations to collect more data about the cancer experience of police officers,
to see whether they are developing more than the expected number of cancers. To assist us in this effort, any known cases of cancer in
police officers using radar should be reported to FDA by calling 1-800-638-6725. Be sure to provide as much information as possible,
including the type of radar unit used, how long the individual worked with radar devices, and the specific type of cancer.
FDA will continue to evaluate the research performed by microwave scientists around the world to see if their results apply to traffic
radar devices. In addition, FDA will work with police organizations to collect more data about the cancer experience of police officers,
to see whether they are developing more than the expected number of cancers. To assist us in this effort, any known cases of cancer in
police officers using radar should be reported to FDA by calling 1-800-638-6725. Be sure to provide as much information as possible,
including the type of radar unit used, how long the individual worked with radar devices, and the specific type of cancer.
In the meantime, what can be done to reduce the risk, if there is one?
Although it is not known for sure whether traffic radar devices can produce health problems, police officers can take some simple steps
which will sharply reduce their exposure to the low-level microwave radiation which these devices emit.
1. Always point the device away from your body, or your partner's body, while it is turned on.
2. Mount fixed radar antennas so that the beam is not pointed at any occupant of the patrol car.
3. Whenever possible, turn off a hand-held unit when it is not in use. If your unit has a "standby" mode, always use it when not
Although it is not known for sure whether traffic radar devices can produce health problems, police officers can take some simple steps
which will sharply reduce their exposure to the low-level microwave radiation which these devices emit.
1. Always point the device away from your body, or your partner's body, while it is turned on.
2. Mount fixed radar antennas so that the beam is not pointed at any occupant of the patrol car.
3. Whenever possible, turn off a hand-held unit when it is not in use. If your unit has a "standby" mode, always use it when not
measuring the speed of a vehicle. Never rest the unit against your body when it is turned on.
4. When it is on, try to avoid pointing the device toward metal surfaces inside your car, such as the floor or a door, to avoid microwave
reflection. (Measurements have shown that the radiation reflected from nonmetallic surfaces, such as glass in the car's windows, is
much less intense than that reflected from metal surfaces.)
much less intense than that reflected from metal surfaces.)
Again, there is no proof at this point that traffic radar devices can be harmful to the police officers who use them. Future information
may reveal that these devices are indeed harmless. But until the question is settled, taking the simple precautions outlined above should
reduce any possible risk. In the meantime, FDA will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
may reveal that these devices are indeed harmless. But until the question is settled, taking the simple precautions outlined above should
reduce any possible risk. In the meantime, FDA will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.