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To compare exposure to formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and terpenes among office workers with and without sick building syndrome and the odds ratio for exposure. Are there significant differences? In this cross-sectional study of office workers, we investigated the associations between exposure to formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, alpha-pinene, and d-limonene using a case-control analysis. Data on perceived general, mucosal, and skin symptoms were obtained by questionnaires. Personal exposure measurements of the compounds were performed among cases and controls, and the odds ratios for exposures to the substances, both singly and in combination, were investigated. Exposures varied for formaldehyde between 0.23 and 45 A mu g/m(3), nitrogen dioxide between 0.26 and 110 A mu g/m(3), ozone between < 16 and 165 A mu g/m(3), alpha-pinene between 0.2 and 170 A mu g/m(3), and d-limonene between 0.8 and 1,400 A mu g/m(3). No consistent differences in exposure odds ratios were found between cases and controls or for individual symptoms.