A comprehensive questionnaire that assessed both physical and psychoso
cial work environments, as well as personal health and lifestyle, was
answered by 133 (92%) employees. In addition, we assessed the physical
/chemical and psychosocial environments of 8 randomly selected employe
es, of whom some had environmentally related health complaints. Enviro
nmental factors most often associated with poor work environments were
improper room temperature, light reflexes (i.e., glare and reflection
of light), dust, and dry air. Emission products from traffic pollutio
n and 1,1,1 -trichloroethane levels were also detected. The electromag
netic fields in both the low and the extremely low frequencies spectra
were close to background levels. Individuals who had environmentally
associated health symptoms worked mainly in the customer support divis
ion, and they perceived higher work demands. Their computer environmen
t was also worse ergonomically. There were no differences with respect
to objective skin signs or disease between those with and without sym
ptoms, respectively. The results of this study point to the importance
of looking at both the psychosocial and physical environments when he
alth complaints arise in modern offices.