http://voices.yahoo.com/hidden-dange...rd-156018.html

Hard to say if the outgassing effects snakes but URI is one of the issues in people. there are formaldehyde free particle boards but it is not as common. The melamine isn't a issue at all, but the particle board substrate ? I don't know, it seems to me that sealing it isn't that difficult so it makes sense in case it could be an issue.