The air inside your home might feel safe, but is it truly clean? In this episode of On the House, the conversation dives into the often-overlooked but essential aspect of indoor life: air quality. From moisture to pollutants, host Marie Stella opens the window, literally and figuratively, on how the space you live in might be impacting your health more than you realize.
Mary Myla Andamon is a senior lecturer at RMIT University’s School of Property, Construction and Project Management. With a PhD from the University of Adelaide and architectural experience across Australia and the Philippines, she specializes in building performance, energy efficiency, and environmental monitoring. She currently serves as the Associate Director of the Sustainable Building Innovation Laboratory. Her work helps bridge academic insights and real-life applications, particularly in evaluating how well, or poorly, our homes breathe.
Mary offers a refreshingly practical look into air circulation and pollution. She points out everyday behaviors that quietly sabotage air quality, like skipping the range hood or ignoring persistent condensation. She explains how pollutants like carbon dioxide, dust, and even water vapor silently accumulate and why knowing your home’s layout and construction is the first step to solving the problem.
She shares easy, actionable tips: turn on exhaust fans before your shower, use sensors to monitor humidity, and don’t underestimate the role of windows, even cracked open for just a while. The episode also highlights modern challenges, such as balancing energy-efficient home design with proper ventilation, and evaluates devices like air purifiers and UV filters.
The conversation is layered with personal insight, from Mary’s LEGO hobby to her professional admiration for researchers who communicate science with clarity. Through it all, she makes the science of indoor air feel less intimidating and a lot more urgent.
Clean air starts with awareness. By understanding how your home circulates air and what might be blocking it, you gain the power to create a healthier space. Small habits, like ventilating while cooking or using humidity sensors, can make a big difference. As Mary reminds us, the way we live inside our homes can either support or sabotage our well-being. Choose wisely, breathe better.
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