In Egypt, the total electricity consumption by the building sector is 62%, in addition, the building sector is responsible for 26% of the total energy consumption and 70% of CO2 emissions. The Egyptian governorate has taken several actions to reduce 20% of CO2 emission by 2030. This research aims at investigating the effect of using several construction materials available in the Egyptian market on energy consumption and embodied carbon of residential building in Cairo.

The research methodology is divided into five steps. 1- Searching for sustainable construction materials in the Egyptian market including walls, roofs, glazing. 2- Using sustainable materials and evaluating the indoor thermal comfort level for a room: In this step, room 1mx1mx1m was used to compare between these materials. In particular, optimization tools are used to find the best combination between these materials. 3- Constructing four rooms based on the optimization results in step 2. In this step four rooms were constructed in the Faculty of Engineering at Cairo university campus. The materials used are: for walls (Autoclaved aerated concrete, Cement Sandwich panel , and Foam wall); for roof ( Tile foam, Kalzip roof, and Maramox Board); for windows are: Solarite (6mm LoE, 16mm Argon. 6mm Clear Glass) double glazing, and Parasol double glazing. 4- Conducting environmental measurements using data logger for measuring air temperature and relative humidity to evaluate the indoor thermal comfort and compare the real measurements and simulation results. 5- Apply these materials on residential building using Desing Builder. Applying three materials to Sakan Masr's external walls showed all reduced cooling electricity and CO2 emissions compared to BC. Foam walls lowered cooling electricity but increased CO2 emissions, while Cement Sandwich Panels outperformed Delta Block in reducing both.

The increasing volume of plastic waste and foundry sand poses significant environmental challenges, demanding innovative and sustainable solutions. This review explores the potential of Eco-bricks, a promising approach that combines these problematic waste materials to create an eco-friendly alternative to conventional building materials. By repurposing plastic waste and foundry sand, Eco-bricks offer a practical solution for waste management, reducing the volume of waste entering landfills and ecosystems. The production process aligns with the principles of a circular economy, conserving energy, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigating the harmful environmental impacts of these waste materials. Eco-bricks also provide economic benefits by reducing disposal costs and creating opportunities in sustainable construction. This review assesses the practical applications of Eco-bricks in construction, evaluating their durability and cost-effectiveness. As the construction industry seeks more sustainable practices, Eco-bricks emerge as an attractive option, combining environmental benefits with practical applications. The development of Eco-bricks represents a significant advancement in sustainable waste management and construction practices, potentially revolutionizing the industry and contributing to the achievement of green building certifications and sustainability targets. This innovative approach opens up new avenues for research and development in sustainable materials science, leading to further advancements in eco-friendly building technologies.

Microplastic pollution has become a major environmental concern in Qatar, with rapidly increasing urbanization and plastic consumption. This study investigates the occurrence of microplastics in Qatar's water and food resources, with a special focus on salt samples from local markets in Qatar. Using Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), this study identified microplastic particles in the samples, including polymers like PET, Nylon-6, PE, and PVC, with particle sizes ranging from 50-70 µm. SEM imaging revealed uneven surface morphologies, indicating deterioration due to environmental exposure. The findings of this study underline the need to address microplastic pollution across daily-use consumables in Qatar, as well as the need for ongoing research into its possible health effects and effective mitigation techniques. This study contributes to a better understanding of the full scope of microplastic contamination and the possible dangers to public health and the environment. The implications of these findings on public health are significant, as the ingestion of microplastics through food and water sources can lead to potential health risks, including genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and acute and chronic toxicity. This underscores the urgent need for action to mitigate microplastic pollution and protect public health.