About

Siddhartha Roy is a researcher at Rutgers University whose work focuses on environmental science and engineering, particularly related to water quality, corrosion, and public health issues associated with water systems. His research includes studying lead leaching from various materials used in water delivery systems, evaluating the efficacy of corrosion control measures, and addressing waterborne health risks such as those highlighted during the Flint Water Crisis. Roy's work also encompasses citizen science approaches to water safety, ethical considerations in engineering, and the impact of water chemistry on infrastructure integrity. He has contributed to understanding the mechanisms of erosion corrosion in potable water systems, assessing the safety of drinking water, and developing strategies to prevent lead contamination. His research has been recognized for its scientific rigor and societal relevance, with some of his publications being highly cited and featured in prominent science outlets. Roy's academic background includes a PhD dissertation on water chemistry and corrosion, and he actively engages in research that aims to improve water safety and infrastructure resilience, emphasizing ethical practices and public health implications.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Computer Security
• Data Mining
• Artificial Intelligence
• Information Retrieval
• Machine Learning
• Materials science
• Chemistry
• Computer network
• World Wide Web
• Composite material

Selected publications

• How to stop the flow of lead in new and existing drinking water systems

  PLOS Water · 2026-02-06

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Preventing lead (Pb) contamination in rural community water systems in LMICs through analytical screening, policy and standards enforcement, and supply chain interventions

  Groundwater for Sustainable Development · 2025-08-25 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxic metal that can leach into potable water from plumbing components. This study investigated Pb contamination in rural community water systems in Ghana to inform strategies for reducing its occurrence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We screened 101 systems, including 83 borehole handpumps and 17 mechanized piped systems, installed across seven districts during 2019-22, using a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. Despite manufacturer assurances that components were lead-free, 57% of tanks in borehole handpumps and 100% of taps in mechanized systems exceeded the international "lead-free" standard of 0.25% Pb w/w. Other components like riser pipes, rods, cylinders, and foot valves generally met standards. There were no significant differences in Pb content (p>0.05) for systems across districts or installation years. Consequently, we engaged original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to source truly lead-free alternatives. Stainless steel taps from one manufacturer replaced leaded brass taps, and a second manufacturer custom-fabricated stainless steel handpump tanks and spouts to replace lead-containing galvanized steel components. These were verified lead-free via XRF before installation. Despite initial claims from multiple OEMs that sourcing lead-free components would be prohibitively difficult or expensive, the switch was logistically feasible and increased overall installation costs by only 2% or less. Our findings highlight vulnerabilities in global plumbing supply chains and manufacturing practices that can introduce Pb and harm consumers, and illustrate the value of independently verifying OEM assurances and specifications for lead-free components. We offer guidance for implementers to mitigate water Pb contamination, with some measures also limiting iron corrosion-related system failures. This includes adherence to product quality standards, analytical screening considerations, supply chain interventions, water quality monitoring, and progressive remediation of existing systems. This case study suggests that eliminating Pb from rural water systems is feasible and cost-effective in Ghana and other LMIC settings. • 101 Ghanaian rural community groundwater systems analyzed using X-Ray Fluorescence • 57% handpump spouts and 100% taps exceeded global lead-free standard (0.25% w/w Pb) • Switch to lead-free stainless steel increased net system installation costs by ≤2% • Low- and Middle-Income Country supply chains are vulnerable to lead contamination • Eliminating lead from rural water systems is feasible and cost-effective in LMICs

  PublisherDOI

• Quantifying lead (Pb) leaching from galvanized handpump spouts, leaded brass taps, and stainless-steel alternatives using the NSF 61 test protocol: Implications for safe rural water supply

  2025-06-18

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxin with no known safe level of exposure. Widespread lead contamination has been found in rural groundwater-supplied drinking water systems in low- and middle-income countries, potentially from corrosion of lead-containing materials such as galvanized steel and brass. National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) 61 is an international standard for certifying the safety of water system components in contact with drinking water based on their capacity to leach chemical contaminants, especially lead, into drinking water. Another standard, NSF 372, certifies the material composition of drinking water system components as ’lead-free' if lead content is ≤0.25% by weight for wetted surfaces. This work investigates the lead leaching potential of components frequently used in these systems and explores potential alternatives to determine which components can be safely used in drinking water systems. Galvanized handpump spouts and leaded brass taps of types widely used in rural water systems in Ghana and stainless-steel alternatives, were tested against NSF 61 and NSF 372 standards. Lead-free PVC pipe segments were used as controls. Test results indicated that all stainless-steel components and PVC controls met NSF 61 and NSF 372 standards while galvanized spouts and brass taps did not meet either. The average lead levels leached over the experiment period from the brass taps, galvanized spout, stainless-steel taps, PVC pipes, and stainless-steel spouts were 192 (SD=89), 34 (SD=3), 0.3 (SD=0.1), 0.2 (SD=0.3), and 0.1 (SD=0.1) µg/L, respectively. Overall, the use of lead-containing galvanized handpump spouts and brass taps should be avoided in water systems due to their lead leaching potential; alternative products made from lead-free materials such as stainless steel should be substituted.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Variability in the Morphometrics of the Sacral Hiatus in Cadaveric Specimens, Computed Tomography Sacral Imaging, and its Clinical Significance

  National Journal of Clinical Anatomy · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Background: The sacral hiatus is the lowest unfused part of the sacral lamina of the sacrum. The external characteristics of the sacral hiatus can vary greatly, including its length, shape, anteroposterior (AP) length, transverse length, and the specific spinal level at which its apex is located. In procedures such as caudal epidural anesthesia (CEA), where a precise anatomical understanding of the sacral hiatus is crucial, this heterogeneity possesses clinical significance. The study aimed at analyzing sacral hiatus morphometry, including length, shape, AP and transverse diameters, and apex vertebral level, and to mitigate risks associated with CEA based on the current study results. Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted on 300 samples, including 100 cadaveric dry sacra (51 males and 49 females) and 200 computed tomographic sacral images (114 males and 86 females) over 24 months. The study assessed the length, transverse length, AP depth, overall morphological configuration of the sacral hiatus, and specifically, the vertebral level where its apex is located. Both physical examinations of cadaveric dry specimens and computerized tomography imaging techniques were utilized. Results: According to the current study, the most common form of the sacral hiatus was an inverted U-shape (51%–53%), followed by an inverted V-shape. The craniocaudal length of the hiatus varied from 9 mm to 103 mm, while the AP depth ranged from 3 mm to 7 mm. The apex of the hiatus was most frequently located at the S4 level (52%–54%), followed by S3, S2, and S5. Conclusion: The sacral hiatus is crucial in procedures, especially those involving surgical approaches to anesthetize the regions supplied by the sacral plexus. It serves as the primary access point for CEA and injections. The morphometric variability in the sacral hiatus and varied level of its apex, particularly high hiatus might pose a risk of injuring the meninges and it also demarcates the site at which successful Caudal epidural anesthesia can be given. Improper identification of the hiatus location or misplacement of surgical instruments may lead to inadvertent nerve injury.

  PublisherDOI

• Foresight 2035: a perspective on the next decade of research on the management of <i>Legionella</i> spp. in engineered aquatic environments

  FEMS Microbiology Reviews · 2025-01-01 · 7 citations

  reviewOpen access

  The disease burden from Legionella spp. infections has been increasing in many industrialized countries and, despite decades of scientific advances, ranks amongst the highest for waterborne diseases. We review here several key research areas from a multidisciplinary perspective and list critical research needs to address some of the challenges of Legionella spp. management in engineered environments. These include: (i) a consideration of Legionella species diversity and cooccurrence, beyond Legionella pneumophila only; (ii) an assessment of their environmental prevalence and clinical relevance, and how that may affect legislation, management, and intervention prioritization; (iii) a consideration of Legionella spp. sources, their definition and prioritization; (iv) the factors affecting Legionnaires' disease seasonality, how they link to sources, Legionella spp. proliferation and ecology, and how these may be affected by climate change; (v) the challenge of saving energy in buildings while controlling Legionella spp. with high water temperatures and chemical disinfection; and (vi) the ecological interactions of Legionella spp. with other microbes, and their potential as a biological control strategy. Ultimately, we call for increased interdisciplinary collaboration between multiple research domains, as well as transdisciplinary engagement and collaboration across government, industry, and science as the way toward controlling and reducing Legionella-derived infections.

  PublisherDOI

• Lead (Pb) contamination in drinking water in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  2025-06-18 · 2 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Lead (Pb) in drinking water causes organ damage, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and lifelong neurological and developmental impairment, disproportionately harming infants and developing fetuses. However, evidence on lead in drinking water in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited and lacks robust synthesis, impeding action. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of peer-reviewed studies reporting lead in drinking water in LMICs, according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published in English since 1969 reporting lead concentrations in drinking water. Study relevance was ranked using supervised clustering and machine learning. Relevant studies were manually screened for inclusion; data were manually extracted from included studies. Within-study risk of bias was scored using quality items defined in this work. Between-study bias was assessed based on continuity and symmetry of the (roughly lognormal) distribution of data included in the review. Of approximately 40,000 search results (for both lead and other TMs), 16,868 scored relevant using a trained machine learning algorithm; of these, 3,187 met inclusion criteria. Approximately one third (n=1,088) reported on lead. Central and Southern Asia accounted for 45% of included datasets, while 31% of LMICs were unrepresented. Many studies (45%) had sites purposively selected for known or suspected contamination; after excluding such “targeted” studies, metaregression indicated that &amp;gt;20% (95% CI: 20-27%) of samples exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values for lead (n=523). Potential sources of bias within studies include sample collection and analysis limitations (lower quality studies) and purposive site selection (“targeted” studies); potential sources of bias among studies include language limitations, exclusion of grey literature, geographic heterogeneity of datasets, and potential publication bias. This work suggests that lead contaminates drinking water at levels of health concern in LMICs worldwide, and that increased collective efforts to prevent, manage, and monitor such contamination are merited.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Anatomical Variations and Morphometric Parameters of the Circulus Arteriosus Cerebri in the Adult Population of Western Maharashtra: A Cross-sectional Cadaveric Study

  National Journal of Clinical Anatomy · 2025-07-01

  articleOpen access1st author

  Abstract Introduction: Circulus arteriosus cerebri , commonly referred as the circle of Willis, is a pivotal arterial anastomotic network located within the interpeduncular cistern at the base of the brain that ensures collateral blood flow to the entire brain. Anatomical variations in this structure are common and can influence the risk of cerebrovascular diseases. Understanding these variations in specific populations is crucial for clinical practice, particularly in regions like Western Maharashtra, where such data is scarce. Our cross-sectional cadaveric study aimed to investigate the prevalence, types of anatomical variants, and morphometric parameters of the circulus arteriosus cerebri in the adult population of Western Maharashtra. Methodology: Over 30 months, the circulus arteriosus cerebri of 67 well-embalmed formalin-fixed adult cadaveric brains from a medical institution in Western Maharashtra were dissected and analyzed for structural entirety, bilateral symmetry, specific variations, and morphometric parameters. Results: The study found that 62.7% of cadavers had a complete circle of Willis, while 37.3% exhibited various anatomical variations, with a higher prevalence on the right side of the circle and more frequent occurrences in the posterior circulation compared to the anterior. Among these, hypoplasia of the posterior communicating artery was the most common variation, followed by aplasia of the anterior communicating artery. Conclusions: The study explores structural deviations and morphometric measurements of the circle of Willis in Western Maharashtra’s adult population, offering crucial insights with clinical relevance for diagnosing and managing neurovascular conditions. These variations impact cerebral perfusion and surgical outcomes, necessitating the need for further research to refine cerebrovascular treatment and preoperative strategies.

  PublisherDOI

• Engineering ethics and the public: Impacts of a graduate-level course on students' ethical perceptions and conduct in research and professional settings (2010-20)

  2024-02-07

  articleOpen access

  Abstract A graduate level three-credit elective course entitled "Engineering Ethics and the Public" has been offered by the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at Virginia Tech since 2010. The course draws on high profile case studies, both past and unfolding, to examine real-world ethical dilemmas that confront engineers and scientists in research, policy, and practice. Course alumni from 2010-2020 (n=65) were surveyed in 2021-2022 to determine their perceptions of the class and its impact on their ethical principles and conduct. Responses were compared to a control group of graduate students who were enrolled in the same department during the same time period who did not take the class (n=68). The control group placed significantly higher value on technical expertise, salaries, and work on projects for perceived job satisfaction, compared to course alumni, who placed greater value on interactions with the people whose lives their work may impact (p<0.001). Course alumni also were also more likely to listen to members of the public outside of their field (p=0.040) in considering ethical dilemmas.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A possible nocebo effect in children following the Flint Water Crisis: Evidence from schoolteacher perceptions and neuropsychological evaluations

  2024-04-11

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Objective: Special education enrollment increased in Flint following the 2014-15 Flint Water Crisis but lead exposure is not plausibly responsible. Labeling Flint children as lead poisoned or /brain damaged may have contributed to rising special education needs (i.e., nocebo effect). To better document this possibility, we surveyed schoolteachers and reviewed neuropsychological assessments of children for indications of negative labeling. Methods: A survey of Flint and Detroit (control) public schoolteachers using a modified Illness Perception Questionnaire was conducted five years post-crisis. We also examined neuropsychological assessments from a recently settled class lawsuit.Results: Relative to Detroit (n=24), Flint’s teachers (n=11) believed that a higher proportion of their students had harmful lead exposure (91.8% Flint vs. 46% Detroit; p=0.00034), were lead poisoned (51.3% vs. 24.3%; p=0.018) or brain damaged (28.8% vs. 12.9%; p=0.1), even though blood lead of Flint’s children was always less than half of Detroit’s. Neuropsychological assessments diagnosed lead poisoning and/or brain damage from water lead exposure in all tested children (n=8), even though none had evidence of elevated blood lead and a majority had prior learning disability diagnoses.Conclusion: Teachers’ responses and neuropsychological assessments confirm strong perceptions that Flint children were permanently harmed by lead exposure.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Systematic review of occurrence and distribution of manganese in drinking water in India and implications for population health

  2024-08-23

  preprintOpen access

  Objectives: This study seeks to understand manganese occurrence in drinking water in India. Methods We searched PubMed, EBSCO Global Health, and Web of Science in December, 2021 and included peer-reviewed studies published after 1969 in English that reported manganese concentrations in drinking water in India (protocol registered with PROSPERO: CRD42024566116). Bias within studies was assessed using methodological quality scores. Regressions and a diagnostic plot were used to assess bias among studies. Results are presented using summary statistics, maps, and estimated populations drinking water exceeding national standards and WHO benchmarks. Results Extracted data comprised 6,397 observations in 74 studies spanning 59 districts in 24 states. Manganese concentrations ranged from 0 to 12,797 mg/L and were not associated with season or water supply technology (p &amp;gt; 0.05). Overall, 9% of disaggregated data and 21% of aggregated data (95% CI: 9-34%) exceeded the Indian (BIS) national standard for manganese in drinking water (300 mg/L), while 32% of disaggregated data and 58% (40-76%) of aggregated data exceeded the 2022 WHO provisional guideline value of 80 mg/L. Using empirical Bayesian kriging, we estimate nearly 60 million people (95% CI: 45-73m) may be consuming groundwater exceeding BIS standards; over 300 million (281-365m) may be drinking water exceeding WHO provisional guidelines. Discussion Limitations in this work include variable study quality, dearth of evidence from some states, and low availability of raw study data. Results indicate that a substantive proportion of India’s population may be exposed to manganese in drinking water at levels of potential concern. Such findings could help inform ongoing efforts to achieve universal access to safely managed drinking water for the Indian population. Funding The authors received no specific funding for this work. Students and staff at the Water Institute at UNC provided in-kind support.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Venkatesan T. Chakaravarthy

  IBM Research - India

  30 shared

• Yogish Sabharwal

  IBM Research - India

  20 shared

• Eric Allender

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  10 shared

• Anamitra R. Choudhury

  IBM Research - India

  9 shared

• Amit Kumar

  Intel (India)

  8 shared

• Vinayaka Pandit

  IBM Research - India

  6 shared

• Samir Datta

  6 shared

• Suman K. Bera

  Apple (United States)

  5 shared

Education

• PhD, Civil Engineering

  Virginia Tech

  2018

• MS, Environmental Engineering

  Virginia Tech

  2015

• BTech, Chemical Engineering

  Nirma University

  2010