In a case-control study with 410 cases and 410 matched controls from the period 1980-1989 we investigated the role of occupations and occupational exposures as risk factors for squamous cell oral cancer. All subjects received a questionnaire. The response rates were 96% and 91% for cases and controls, respectively. A significantly increased risk was found for pulp industry workers, odds ratio (OR) 4.0 and wood or product workers, OR 5.5. Exposure to chemicals such as phenoxyacetic acids yielded an OR of 1.7. The positive findings in this study may be explained by exposure to chemicals, but need to be verified in further studies.