Dr Siddhant Dash, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, has published a research paper titled “Understanding the Pathways, Pollution and Potential Solutions Pertaining to Pesticides: Circular Engineering for Persistent Chemicals” in the prestigious Q1 journal Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health. The paper investigates the global pathways and impacts of pesticide use and the urgent need for sustainable management of persistent chemicals. In his paper, Dr Dash explores circular engineering solutions to reduce the environmental harm caused by these while supporting safe and efficient agricultural practices.
Abstract
This paper provides a global analysis of pesticide use, highlighting disproportionate consumption in high-income nations and the serious environmental and health risks linked to persistent chemicals like organochlorines and organophosphates. It advocates for circular engineering approaches—emphasizing reuse, recycling, and waste minimization—to mitigate pesticide pollution. The study calls for greater research focus in developing regions and promotes sustainable alternatives such as biopesticides, precision agriculture, and biodegradable pesticides to align with global sustainability goals.
Practical Implementation / Social Implications of the Research
The research offers actionable paths to reduce the environmental footprint of pesticides:
- Encouraging biodegradable and natural pesticides to prevent long-term contamination.
- Promoting circular engineering to reuse waste and minimize pollution.
- Supporting international efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals, especially clean water (SDG-6) and food security (SDG-2).
Socially, this work advocates for protecting vulnerable communities, especially in developing countries, from pesticide-related health risks.
Collaborations
This study is a collaborative effort across institutions and countries, including:
- Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico
- UPES Dehradun, India
- SRM University-AP, India
- University of Idaho, USA
- University of Tokyo, Japan
- Toyama Prefectural University, Japan
- Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee & Bhubaneswar, India
- National Institute of Hydrology, India
- National Mission for Clean Ganga, India
Future Research Plans
Through this research, the team aims to:
- Develop eco-friendly, biodegradable pesticides.
- Advance biopesticides and natural pest control alternatives.
- Integrate circular engineering models for pesticide reuse and recycling.
- Investigate how pesticides contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
- Support policies promoting sustainable agriculture through evidence-based research.
