Public waste disposal workers in Cross River State do not take precautionary measures and are exposed to waste that generates gases, dust and microorganisms. Spirometry and respiratory symptoms in public waste workers in Cross River state, Nigeria was studied with the aid of a spirometer and questionnaire respectively. Dust and gases (NO2, SO2, H2S and FL) emitted from the vicinity were also studied. Two hundred and forty (240) male subjects were used for the study comprising 120 test and 120 control subjects with similar anthropometric parameters. Results showed that the mean FVC (Liters) in the test subjects was significantly reduced (p<0.01) compared to the control. Mean FEV1 (liter) of the test group was significantly lower (p<0.001) than control. Result for FEV1% (Liters) and PEFR (L/min) in the test subjects was not significantly different compared to control. Percentage of oxygen saturation (SPO2%) in both control and test subjects were not significantly different. Dust levels (mg/m3) in the test sites was significantly higher (p<0.001) than in control sites. SO2, NO2 and H2S were significantly higher in test sites compared to control (p<0.05-p<0.01). There was a higher incidence of respiratory symptoms such as productive cough, sneezing etc in public waste workers. Public waste workers had a restrictive pattern of impairment caused likely by significantly high dust levels with SO2 level which exceeded the ambient levels as documented by the Federal Ministry of Environment in Nigeria