Objectives To investigate the releasing characteristics of formaldehyde from block board.

Methods The indoor environment was simulated by a test climate chamber and a block board was used as the test material. The influences of temperature, humidity and the exchange rate of air on the emission of formaldehyde were measured.

Results Higher temperature and humidity in air could significantly promote the release of formaldehyde. The relationship of the concentration of formaldehyde with the temperature and humidity in air followed separately an exponential function. In addition, the effect of temperature in air seemed to have weakened when the humidity in air reached a high level. The concentration of formaldehyde decreased remarkably with an increase of air exchange rate.

Conclusions There were great effects of temperature, humidity and exchange rate of air on the emission of formaldehyde from block board.