Overview
Background
Dr Phong Thai has a keen interest in environmental health and monitoring. 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 determine community consumption and exposure to a range of illicit and licit substances including alcohol and tobacco, pharmaceuticals and personal care products and lately on community level of infection to Covid-19 during the last pandemic. Additionally, Phong is working on projects monitoring emerging environmental pollutants in different matrices.
Phong has been awarded several competitive fellowships for his research and has led or contributed to several exciting projects totalling > A$ 10 millions in funding besides being a member of the team who manage the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program.
Availability
- Associate Professor Phong Thai is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
- Graduate Certificate of Education & Teaching, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Wastewater-based epidemiology
Identifying markers for population exposure estimation through wastewater-based epidemiology
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Air quality and its impact
Developing new approach to monitor air quality and linking exposure to air pollutants to health impact
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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
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, 122210. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122210
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. doi: 10.1111/add.16653
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
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
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, 10-10. doi: 10.1111/dar.13929
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
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
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
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
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
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
2024
Journal Article
Significant differences in usage of antibiotics in three Chinese cities measured by wastewater-based epidemiology
Luo, Xiaozhe, Han, Sheng, Wang, Yue, Du, Peng, Li, Xiqing and Thai, Phong K. (2024). Significant differences in usage of antibiotics in three Chinese cities measured by wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 254 121335, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121335
2024
Journal Article
PFAS removal from landfill leachate by ozone foam fractionation: System optimization and adsorption quantification
Vo, Phong H.N., Nguyen, Thao T.P., Nguyen, Hong T.M., Baulch, Justin, Dong, Simon, Nguyen, Cuong V., Thai, Phong K. and Nguyen, Anh V. (2024). PFAS removal from landfill leachate by ozone foam fractionation: System optimization and adsorption quantification. Water Research, 253 121300, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121300
2024
Journal Article
Wastewater Tiling Amplicon Sequencing in Sentinel Sites Reveals Longitudinal Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Prevalence
Wang, Yu, Ni, Gaofeng, Tian, Wei, Wang, Haofei, Li, Jiaying, Thai, Phong, Choi, Phil M., Jackson, Greg, Hu, Shihu, Yang, Bicheng and Guo, Jianhua (2024). Wastewater Tiling Amplicon Sequencing in Sentinel Sites Reveals Longitudinal Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Prevalence. Water Research X, 23 100224, 100224. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2024.100224
2024
Journal Article
Indoor air pollution is associated with respiratory symptoms in children in urban Vietnam
Le, Hong H.T.C., Ngo, Hieu K.T., Hieu, Le Sy, Sly, Peter D., Phung, Dung, Le An, Pham, Vinh, Nguyen Nhu, Dang, Tran Ngoc, Thuong, Do Thi Hoai, Thanh, Huynh Ngoc and Thai, Phong K. (2024). Indoor air pollution is associated with respiratory symptoms in children in urban Vietnam. Science of the Total Environment, 917 170556, 170556. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170556
2024
Journal Article
Distribution and release of PFAS from AFFF-impacted asphalt: How does it compare to concrete?
Li, Yijing, Key, Trent A., Vo, Phong H.N., Porman, Scott, Thapalia, Anita, McDonough, Jeffrey T., Fiorenza, Stephanie, Barnes, Craig M., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2024). Distribution and release of PFAS from AFFF-impacted asphalt: How does it compare to concrete?. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 466 133627, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133627
2024
Journal Article
In-sewer stability of 31 human health biomarkers and suitability for wastewater-based epidemiology
Li, Jiaying, Choi, Phil M., Gao, Jianfa, Ren, Jianan, O'Brien, Jake W., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F., Thai, Phong K. and Jiang, Guangming (2024). In-sewer stability of 31 human health biomarkers and suitability for wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 249 120978, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120978
2024
Journal Article
Analysis of wastewater from 2013 to 2021 detected a recent increase in nicotine use in Queensland, Australia
Wang, Zhe, Zheng, Qiuda, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Chan, Gary, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2024). Analysis of wastewater from 2013 to 2021 detected a recent increase in nicotine use in Queensland, Australia. Water Research, 250 121040, 121040. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.121040
2024
Journal Article
Comparison of adsorption-extraction (AE) workflows for improved measurements of viral and bacterial nucleic acid in untreated wastewater
Akter, Jesmin, Smith, Wendy J.M., Liu, Yawen, Kim, Ilho, Simpson, Stuart L., Thai, Phong, Korajkic, Asja and Ahmed, Warish (2024). Comparison of adsorption-extraction (AE) workflows for improved measurements of viral and bacterial nucleic acid in untreated wastewater. Science of the Total Environment, 908 167966, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167966
2023
Journal Article
Calibration and application of PUF disk passive air samplers to assess chlorinated paraffins in ambient air in Australia, China, and Vietnam
He, Chang, Thai, Phong K., Bertrand, Lidwina, Jayarathne, Ayomi, van Mourik, Louise, Phuc, Dam Hoang, Banks, Andrew, Mueller, Jochen F. and Wang, Xianyu Fisher (2023). Calibration and application of PUF disk passive air samplers to assess chlorinated paraffins in ambient air in Australia, China, and Vietnam. Environmental Science and Technology, 57 (50), 21061-21070. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06703
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Phong Thai is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Assessing and modelling spatiotemporal trends in drug consumptions in the community by wastewater-based epidemiology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jiaying Li, Dr Jiuling Li
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Doctor Philosophy
The metabolic syndrome in relation to nutritional status among adults in Vietnam
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Abdullah Mamun, Dr Dung Phung
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Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of biomarker transformation in the wastewater system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Qiuda Zheng
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Doctor Philosophy
Estimating use of tobacco and nicotine products through wastewater analysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Ben Tscharke
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Master Philosophy
Understanding the exposure and dissipation of recreational methamphetamine use in Australian residential properties,
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Determinants of alcohol drinking, and tobacco smoking, and e-cigarette vaping in Vietnamese young people and young Vietnamese migrant in Australia : implications for public health interventions and substance-use control policies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Professor Coral Gartner, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
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Doctor Philosophy
Bioaccumulation potential of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in humans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Richard Bade, Dr Ben Tscharke, Professor Jochen Mueller
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Doctor Philosophy
Human exposure pathways for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Fisher Wang
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Ben Tscharke
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Traffic-related air pollution: impact on respiratory health and attitudes to self-protective behaviours amongst urban Vietnamese children
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dung Phung, Professor Peter Sly
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Transformation and fate of organic micropollutants in the urban wastewater system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Emerging organic contaminants in wastewater treatment plants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Professor Jochen Mueller
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Effects of Atmospheric Environment on Children's Health in Hanoi, Vietnam
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Professor Peter Sly, Dr Dung Phung
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Expanding wastewater-based epidemiology and evaluating the stability of biomarkers in the sewers: from the laboratory to the field
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Jochen Mueller
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Organophosphate esters in the Australian environment: sources, fate, and human exposure
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Professor Jochen Mueller
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Refining the uncertainties and expansion of wastewater-based epidemiology for assessing population exposure to chemicals
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Professor Jochen Mueller
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Emissions of Selected Semivolatile Organic Chemicals from Open-field Biomass Burning and Its Role as an Air Pollution Source in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller
Media
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