Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Associate Professor Phong Thai
Associate Professor

Phong Thai

Email: 

Overview

Background

Dr Phong Thai is an ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellow. Phong joined Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) in 2018 after his Vice Chancellor Senior Research Fellowship at the International Laboratory of Air Quality and Health at Queensland University of Technology. His research focus at QAEHS involves the expansion of wastewater-based epidemiological approach to estimate community consumption and exposure to a range of licit and illicit substances including tobacco and alcohol, pharmaceuticals and as well as the monitoring of community infection to Covid-19 during the last pandemic. He is a member of the team who manage the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program.

Phong is also working on projects monitoring occurence, fate and transport of environmental pollutants in different matrices. He has lso far ed or contributed to several exciting projects totalling > A$ 15 millions.

Availability

Associate Professor Phong Thai is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Graduate Certificate of Education & Teaching, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Wastewater-based epidemiology

    Identifying markers for population exposure estimation through wastewater-based epidemiology

  • Air quality and its impact

    Developing new approach to monitor air quality and linking exposure to air pollutants to health impact

  • Legacy persistent pollutants

    Assessment of the fate and transport of persistent pollutants including PFAS, flame retardants, in the environment

Works

Search Professor Phong Thai’s works on UQ eSpace

277 works between 2006 and 2025

1 - 20 of 277 works

2025

Journal Article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in rainfall runoff from an AFFF-impacted concrete pad: A field simulation study

Thai, Phong K., McDonough, Jeffrey T., Key, Trent A., Thapalia, Anita, Porman, Scott, Prasad, Pritesh, Fiorenza, Stephanie, Watanabe, Hirozumi, Barnes, Craig M. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2025). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in rainfall runoff from an AFFF-impacted concrete pad: A field simulation study. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters, 6 100137, 100137. doi: 10.1016/j.hazl.2024.100137

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in rainfall runoff from an AFFF-impacted concrete pad: A field simulation study

2025

Journal Article

Difference in nicotine metabolism as a potential factor causing disparities in tobacco consumption estimates by wastewater-based epidemiology

Weng, Min-Tz, Steadman, Kathryn J, Zhong, Kelly, Al-Gharibeh, Maryam, Zheng, Qiuda and Thai, Phong K (2025). Difference in nicotine metabolism as a potential factor causing disparities in tobacco consumption estimates by wastewater-based epidemiology. Health Sciences Review, 14 100210, 100210. doi: 10.1016/j.hsr.2025.100210

Difference in nicotine metabolism as a potential factor causing disparities in tobacco consumption estimates by wastewater-based epidemiology

2025

Journal Article

Assessing the impact of individual exposure to air pollution via biomarkers in sputum of children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Le Tran, Linh, Le Pham, An, Duc Do, Minh, Nguyen, Quynh Nhat, Ngo, Hieu K.T., Le, Hong H.T.C., Nguyen, Vinh Nhu, Phung, Dung, Sly, Peter D. and Thai, Phong K. (2025). Assessing the impact of individual exposure to air pollution via biomarkers in sputum of children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Environmental Pollution, 367 125544, 125544. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125544

Assessing the impact of individual exposure to air pollution via biomarkers in sputum of children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

2025

Journal Article

An upward trend of dyslipidemia among adult population in Vietnam: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis

Dang, Anh Kim, Thi Le, Linh Thao, Pham, Ngoc Minh, Nguyen, Dung Quang, Thi Nguyen, Ha Thu, Dang, Son Cong, Le Nguyen, Anh Tuan, Le, Huong Thi, Mamun, Abdullah A., Phung, Dung and Thai, Phong K. (2025). An upward trend of dyslipidemia among adult population in Vietnam: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome, 19 (1) 103171, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2024.103171

An upward trend of dyslipidemia among adult population in Vietnam: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis

2025

Journal Article

Exposure to smoking and greenspace are associated with allergy medicine use – A study of wastewater in 28 cities of China

Zhang, Lingrong, Du, Peng, Zheng, Qiuda, Zhao, Menglin, Zhang, Ruyue, Wang, Zhenglu, Xu, Zeqiong, Li, Xiqing and Thai, Phong K. (2025). Exposure to smoking and greenspace are associated with allergy medicine use – A study of wastewater in 28 cities of China. Environment International, 196 109291, 109291-196. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109291

Exposure to smoking and greenspace are associated with allergy medicine use – A study of wastewater in 28 cities of China

2024

Journal Article

Wastewater‐based evaluation of the efficacy of oxycodone regulations in Australia

Verhagen, Rory, Gerber, Cobus, Thai, Phong K., Connor, Jason, Loveday, Bill, Bade, Richard, O'Brien, Jake, Jaunay, Emma L., Simpson, Bradley S., Chan, Gary, Hall, Wayne, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Tscharke, Benjamin J. (2024). Wastewater‐based evaluation of the efficacy of oxycodone regulations in Australia. Addiction, 119 (12), 2153-2161. doi: 10.1111/add.16653

Wastewater‐based evaluation of the efficacy of oxycodone regulations in Australia

2024

Journal Article

The impact of diurnal temperature range on the risk of hospitalizations in a low-income setting: the case of the Central Coast of Vietnam

Ngo, Hieu K. T., Tri, Ton T. C., Thu, Dang Thi Anh, Phung, Dung, Dang, Tran Ngoc, Nguyen, Kien Duc, Nguyen, My H. D., Tin, Hoang Cong and Thai, Phong K. (2024). The impact of diurnal temperature range on the risk of hospitalizations in a low-income setting: the case of the Central Coast of Vietnam. International journal of biometeorology, 69 (2), 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s00484-024-02828-w

The impact of diurnal temperature range on the risk of hospitalizations in a low-income setting: the case of the Central Coast of Vietnam

2024

Journal Article

Commentary on Ter Laak <i>et al</i>.: The importance of drug market information and differentiating drug use patterns

Verhagen, Rory and Thai, Phong K. (2024). Commentary on Ter Laak et al.: The importance of drug market information and differentiating drug use patterns. Addiction, 120 (1), 126-127. doi: 10.1111/add.16712

Commentary on Ter Laak <i>et al</i>.: The importance of drug market information and differentiating drug use patterns

2024

Journal Article

µ-X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and fluorine K-edge µ-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy for detection of PFAS distribution in the impacted concrete

Vo, Phong H. N., Vogel, Christian, Nguyen, Hong T. M., Hamilton, Brett R., Thai, Phong K., Roesch, Philipp, Simon, Franz-Georg and Mueller, Jochen F. (2024). µ-X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and fluorine K-edge µ-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy for detection of PFAS distribution in the impacted concrete. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters, 5 100134, 100134. doi: 10.1016/j.hazl.2024.100134

µ-X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and fluorine K-edge µ-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy for detection of PFAS distribution in the impacted concrete

2024

Journal Article

Degradation and detoxification of 6PPD-quinone in water by ultraviolet-activated peroxymonosulfate: Mechanisms, byproducts, and impact on sediment microbial community

Yu, Wenyan, Tang, Shaoyu, Wong, Jonathan W.C., Luo, Zhujun, Li, Zongrui, Thai, Phong K., Zhu, Minghan, Yin, Hua and Niu, Junfeng (2024). Degradation and detoxification of 6PPD-quinone in water by ultraviolet-activated peroxymonosulfate: Mechanisms, byproducts, and impact on sediment microbial community. Water Research, 263 122210, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122210

Degradation and detoxification of 6PPD-quinone in water by ultraviolet-activated peroxymonosulfate: Mechanisms, byproducts, and impact on sediment microbial community

2024

Journal Article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in floor dust from different indoor environments in Australia: Levels, variation, and human exposure risks

Li, Zongrui, Ishaq, Zubaria, He, Chang, Banks, Andrew P.W., Bräunig, Jennifer, Thai, Phong K., Jayarathne, Ayomi, Mueller, Jochen F. and Wang, Xianyu (2024). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in floor dust from different indoor environments in Australia: Levels, variation, and human exposure risks. Chemosphere, 366 143372, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143372

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in floor dust from different indoor environments in Australia: Levels, variation, and human exposure risks

2024

Journal Article

Assessing daily patterns in stimulant use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne, Australia using wastewater analysis

Chen, Shuo, Bade, Richard, Tscharke, Ben, Hall, Wayne, Thai, Phong, He, Chang, Ahmed, Fahad, Zheng, Qiuda, Choi, Phil M., O'Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2024). Assessing daily patterns in stimulant use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne, Australia using wastewater analysis. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 476 135130, 135130. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135130

Assessing daily patterns in stimulant use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne, Australia using wastewater analysis

2024

Journal Article

High throughput and sensitive quantitation of tobacco-specific alkaloids and nitrosamines in wastewater

Wang, Zhe, Zheng, Qiuda, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Li, Jinglong, O'Brien, Jake W., Patterson, Brad, Zhao, Zeyang, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2024). High throughput and sensitive quantitation of tobacco-specific alkaloids and nitrosamines in wastewater. Talanta, 277 126401, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126401

High throughput and sensitive quantitation of tobacco-specific alkaloids and nitrosamines in wastewater

2024

Journal Article

Assessing the impact of stricter drink driving policy on alcohol consumption in a population of Hanoi, Vietnam using wastewater analysis

Bui, Thanh X., Ngo, Hieu K. T., Vu, Giang T., Zheng, Qiuda, Nguyen, Dat M., Hue, Tran Thi Thanh, Binh, Vu Ngan, Anh, Nguyen Thi Kieu and Thai, Phong K. (2024). Assessing the impact of stricter drink driving policy on alcohol consumption in a population of Hanoi, Vietnam using wastewater analysis. Drug and Alcohol Review, 44 (1), 10-10. doi: 10.1111/dar.13929

Assessing the impact of stricter drink driving policy on alcohol consumption in a population of Hanoi, Vietnam using wastewater analysis

2024

Journal Article

Response of low-cost sensors to high PM <sub>2.5</sub> concentrations during bushfire and haze events

Liu, Xiaoting, Pushpawela, Buddhi, Jayaratne, Rohan, Thai, Phong, Christensen, Bryce, Zing, Isak, Lamont, Riki, Dunbabin, Matthew, Wang, Hao, Gao, Jian and Morawska, Lidia (2024). Response of low-cost sensors to high PM 2.5 concentrations during bushfire and haze events. Aerosol Science and Technology, 58 (9), 978-990. doi: 10.1080/02786826.2024.2368733

Response of low-cost sensors to high PM <sub>2.5</sub> concentrations during bushfire and haze events

2024

Journal Article

Seven-years of alcohol consumption in Australia by wastewater analysis: exploring patterns by remoteness and socioeconomic factors

Tscharke, Ben, Livingston, Michael, O'Brien, Jake W., Bade, Richard, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F., Hall, Wayne, Simpson, Bradley S., Jaunay, Emma, Gerber, Cobus, White, Jason M. and Thai, Phong K. (2024). Seven-years of alcohol consumption in Australia by wastewater analysis: exploring patterns by remoteness and socioeconomic factors. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 259 111317, 111317. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111317

Seven-years of alcohol consumption in Australia by wastewater analysis: exploring patterns by remoteness and socioeconomic factors

2024

Journal Article

Reducing consequences of extreme heat: the role of weather information access

Kien, Nguyen Duc, My, Nguyen H.D., Thu, Dang Thi Anh, Phong, Thai Khanh, Chau, Tran H.B. and Dung, Phung Tri (2024). Reducing consequences of extreme heat: the role of weather information access. Dialogues in Health, 4 100177, 100177. doi: 10.1016/j.dialog.2024.100177

Reducing consequences of extreme heat: the role of weather information access

2024

Journal Article

Progress toward universal health coverage in Vietnam: evidence on dispensing trends of diabetes medications from 2015 to 2021

Dang, Anh Kim, Vu, Binh Ngan, Lam, Toi Phung, Ho, Thanh Kim Thi, Nguyen, Anh Kieu Thi, Le, Huong Thi, Mamun, Abdullah A., Phung, Dung and Thai, Phong K. (2024). Progress toward universal health coverage in Vietnam: evidence on dispensing trends of diabetes medications from 2015 to 2021. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 212 111691, 111691. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111691

Progress toward universal health coverage in Vietnam: evidence on dispensing trends of diabetes medications from 2015 to 2021

2024

Journal Article

Refining the correction factor for a better monitoring of antidepressant use by wastewater-based epidemiology: a case study of amitriptyline

Zhao, Zeyang, Zheng, Qiuda, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Ahmed, Fahad, O'Brien, Jake W., Gao, Jianfa, Covaci, Adrian and Thai, Phong K. (2024). Refining the correction factor for a better monitoring of antidepressant use by wastewater-based epidemiology: a case study of amitriptyline. Science of The Total Environment, 926 172057, 172057. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172057

Refining the correction factor for a better monitoring of antidepressant use by wastewater-based epidemiology: a case study of amitriptyline

2024

Journal Article

Nationwide occurrence and discharge mass load of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in effluent and biosolids: a snapshot from 75 wastewater treatment plants across Australia

Nguyen, Hue T., Thai, Phong K., Kaserzon, Sarit L., O'Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2024). Nationwide occurrence and discharge mass load of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in effluent and biosolids: a snapshot from 75 wastewater treatment plants across Australia. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 470 134203, 134203. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134203

Nationwide occurrence and discharge mass load of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in effluent and biosolids: a snapshot from 75 wastewater treatment plants across Australia

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Microplastic emission in storm water
    ExxonMobil Global Services Company
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Estimating tobacco consumption trend in Australia
    Australian Taxation Office
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Using multiple data sources to understand the opioid crisis in Australia
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Monitoring nicotine: Triangulating social media, global survey and wastewater data to inform future vaping and smoking policies
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program
    Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Understanding third hand exposure of Australian people to methamphetamine
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Realistic assessment of biomarker transformation in the wastewater system
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Understanding Australia by analysing wastewater during the Census 2021
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Human exposure to PFAS and their precursors in the human environment and their biotransformation processes
    NHMRC Targeted Research
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Evaluation of PFAS release from impacted concrete
    Arcadis US Inc
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Estimating use of tobacco and nicotine products through wastewater analysis
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Wearing masks to reduce traffic-related air pollution exposure and improve children's respiratory health
    NHMRC-NAFOSTED Joint Call for Collaborative Research Projects Grants
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Estimating per capita use and release of chemicals by wastewater analysis
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Understanding the fate and transport of selected biomarkers in sewers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Evaluating temporal and spatial changes in consumption of new psychoactive substances in Queensland by retrospective analysis of archived wastewater samples
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Developing an approach to identifying and qualifying novel psychoactive substance (NPS) consumed in Australia
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013
    UWA/UQ joint project on sewer epidemiology
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Testing of Articles for Persistent Organic Pollutants
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Establishing a method for estimating the consumption of emerging psychoactive substances through wastewater analysis
    UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Dissipation of major illicit drugs and their metabolites in the sewer system
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Phong Thai is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Associate Professor Phong Thai's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au