Solid wood and composite board (plywood, particleboard and fiberboard, Melamine- and Formica-coated particleboard) may emit acids and the degradation products of their adhesives. Solid mahogany ranks safest, followed by exterior plywood. However, anodized aluminum and coated steel, if correctly manufactured, are the safest materials known. This compact but detailed text analyzes the effects of acid emission by wood, and of formaldehyde by adhesives, interior plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard. The process of heat-setting the Melamine may eliminate unreacted formaldehyde. Emission from exterior plywood, structural particleboard, oriented strandboard, and waferboard is evaluated as not completely safe. There is little reported testing on the effects of hardboard such as Masonite, nor on high-pressure plastic laminates. Products treated with fire retardants are to be avoided; surface coatings do not seal off emissions completely; alternative display case and storage construction materials include metal, paint, and carefully chosen plastics; already installed wooden units can be lined with described materials. The addition of formaldehyde sorbents is a helpful measure.