Yes, cell phone towers emit microwaves. Cell phone towers use radiofrequency (RF) waves to transmit and receive signals from mobile devices, including cell phones. These RF waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation, and they fall within the microwave frequency range.
The term "microwave" refers to a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, with frequencies ranging from 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Cell phone towers typically operate at frequencies below 6 GHz, which fall within the microwave range. The specific frequencies used by cell phone towers depend on the cellular network technology in use, such as 3G, 4G LTE, or 5G.
It's important to note that the RF waves emitted by cell phone towers are generally considered non-ionizing radiation, which means they do not have enough energy to directly break chemical bonds or cause ionization (the process of removing electrons from atoms or molecules). The World Health Organization (WHO) and various other health organizations have conducted extensive research on the potential health effects of exposure to RF waves from cell phone towers and have not found any consistent evidence of adverse health effects below established safety limits.
However, as with any technology that involves electromagnetic radiation, regulatory authorities around the world set safety limits for RF exposure to ensure that the emissions from cell phone towers and other communication devices remain at levels that are considered safe for the general population.