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
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
2016
Conference Publication
A modelling approach to estimate the number of people contributing to a wastewater sample using population biomarkers
O'Brien, Jake, Thai, Phong, Ort, Christoph, Thomas, Kevin, Reid, Malcolm, Baz Lomba, José Antonio, Lai, Foon Yin and Mueller, Jochen (2016). A modelling approach to estimate the number of people contributing to a wastewater sample using population biomarkers. 2016 Annual Meeting of the International Society of Exposure Sicence, Utrecht, Netherlands, 9 - 13 October 2016. Herndon, VA, United States: International Society of Exposure Science.
2015
Journal Article
Wastewater analysis of Census day samples to investigate per capita input of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers into wastewater
O'Brien, Jake W., Thai, Phong K., Brandsma, Sicco H., Leonards, Pim E. G., Ort, Christoph and Mueller, Jochen F. (2015). Wastewater analysis of Census day samples to investigate per capita input of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers into wastewater. Chemosphere, 138, 328-334. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.06.014
2015
Journal Article
Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure in small groups of residents in Brisbane, Australia and Hanoi, Vietnam, and those travelling between the two cities
Thai, Phong K., Li, Zheng, Sjodin, Andreas, Fox, Annette, Diep, Nguyen Bich, Binh, Ta Thi and Mueller, Jochen F. (2015). Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure in small groups of residents in Brisbane, Australia and Hanoi, Vietnam, and those travelling between the two cities. Chemosphere, 139, 358-364. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.07.004
2015
Journal Article
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in dust from primary schools in South East Queensland, Australia
Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Mazaheri, Mandana, Brommer, Sandra, Clifford, Samuel, Drage, Daniel, Mueller, Jochen F., Thai, Phong, Harrad, Stuart, Morawska, Lidia and Harden, Fiona A. (2015). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in dust from primary schools in South East Queensland, Australia. Environmental Research, 142, 135-140. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.06.007
2015
Journal Article
The first application of wastewater-based drug epidemiology in five South Korean cities
Kim, Ki Yong, Lai, Foon Yin, Kim, Hee-Young, Thai, Phong K., Mueller, Jochen F. and Oh, Jeong-Eun (2015). The first application of wastewater-based drug epidemiology in five South Korean cities. Science of the Total Environment, 524-525, 440-446. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.065
2015
Journal Article
The effects of high temperature on cardiovascular admissions in the most populous tropical city in Vietnam
Phung, Dung, Guo, Yuming, Thai, Phong, Rutherford, Shannon, Wang, Xiaoming, Nguyen, Minh, Do, Cuong Manh, Nguyen, Nga Huy, Alam, Noore and Chu, Cordia (2015). The effects of high temperature on cardiovascular admissions in the most populous tropical city in Vietnam. Environmental Pollution, 208 (Pt A), 33-39. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.06.004
2015
Journal Article
Export of radioactive cesium from agricultural fields under simulated rainfall in Fukushima
Thai, Phong K., Suka, Yuma, Sakai, Masaru, Nanko, Kazuki, Yen, Jui-Hung and Watanabe, Hirozumi (2015). Export of radioactive cesium from agricultural fields under simulated rainfall in Fukushima. Environmental Sciences: Processes and Impacts, 17 (6), 1157-1163. doi: 10.1039/c5em00063g
2015
Journal Article
Spatial distribution of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Australia's atmosphere
Wang, Xianyu, Kennedy, Karen, Powell, Jennifer, Keywood, Melita, Gillett, Rob, Thai, Phong, Bridgen, Phil, Broomhall, Sara, Paxman, Chris, Wania, Frank and Mueller, Jochen F. (2015). Spatial distribution of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Australia's atmosphere. Environmental Sciences: Processes and Impacts, 17 (3), 525-532. doi: 10.1039/c4em00594e
2015
Journal Article
Systematic and day-to-day effects of chemical-derived population estimates on wastewater-based drug epidemiology
Lai, Foon Yin, Anuj, Shalona, Bruno, Raimondo, Carter, Steve, Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Kirkbride, K. Paul, Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake W., Prichard, Jeremy, Thai, Phong K and Ort, Christoph (2015). Systematic and day-to-day effects of chemical-derived population estimates on wastewater-based drug epidemiology. Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (2), 999-1008. doi: 10.1021/es503474d
2015
Conference Publication
Application of wastewater-based epidemiology on monitoring illicit drug, alcohol and nicotine use in Australian and New Zealand populations
Lai, F. Y., Hall, W., Wilkins, C., Gartner, C., Carter, S., Anuj, S., O'Brien, J. W., Thai, P., Bruno, R., Prichard, J., Kirkbride, P. and Mueller, J. F. (2015). Application of wastewater-based epidemiology on monitoring illicit drug, alcohol and nicotine use in Australian and New Zealand populations. Testing the Waters, Ascona, Switzerland, 11-15 October 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
Reading wastewater downunder
Mueller, J. F., Lai, F. Y., Thai, P., O'Brien, J., Ort, C., Gartner, C., Prichard, J., Bruno, R., van Dyken, E., Humphries, M., Carter, S., Wilkins, P., Kirkbride, W. and Hall, W. (2015). Reading wastewater downunder. Testing the Waters, Ascona, Switzerland, 11-15 October 2015.
2015
Journal Article
Could wastewater analysis be a useful tool for China? - A review
Gao, Jianfa, O'Brien, Jake, Lai, Foon Yin, van Nuijs, Alexander L. N., He, Jun, Mueller, Jochen F., Xu, Jingsha and Thai, Phong K. (2015). Could wastewater analysis be a useful tool for China? - A review. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 27 (C), 70-79. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2014.09.025
2015
Conference Publication
Long-term monitoring of cathinone use using wastewater analysis in an urban catchment in South East Queensland
Thai, Phong K., Lai, Foonyin, O'Brien, Jake W., Bruno, Raimondo, Hall, Wayne, Edirisinghe, Methsiri, Kirkbride, Paul, Prichard, Jeremy and Mueller, Jochen (2015). Long-term monitoring of cathinone use using wastewater analysis in an urban catchment in South East Queensland. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
2014
Journal Article
Monitoring substance use in prisons: assessing the potential value of wastewater analysis
van Dyken, Emma, Thai, Phong, Lai, Foon Yin, Ort, Christoph, Prichard, Jeremy, Bruno, Raimondo, Hall, Wayne, Kirkbride, K. Paul and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). Monitoring substance use in prisons: assessing the potential value of wastewater analysis. Science and Justice, 54 (5), 338-345. doi: 10.1016/j.scijus.2014.06.006
2014
Other Outputs
Collection and analysis of chemical pollutants in pooled human media (milk, serum and urine) 2011-2013: report for the Australian Government Department of the Environment
Toms, L. M., Heffernan, A. L., Hobson, P., Sjoedin, A., Calafat, A., Li, Z., Baduel, C., Gomez-Ramos, M. J., Thai, P., Chen, Y., Malisch, R. and Mueller, J. (2014). Collection and analysis of chemical pollutants in pooled human media (milk, serum and urine) 2011-2013: report for the Australian Government Department of the Environment. Not available:
2014
Journal Article
Degradability of creatinine under sewer conditions affects its potential to be used as biomarker in sewage epidemiology
Thai, Phong K., O'Brien, Jake, Jiang, Guangming, Gernjak, Wolfgang, Yuan, Zhiguo, Eaglesham, Geoff and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). Degradability of creatinine under sewer conditions affects its potential to be used as biomarker in sewage epidemiology. Water Research, 55, 272-279. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.02.035
2014
Journal Article
Towards development of a rapid and effective non-destructive testing strategy to identify brominated flame retardants in the plastics of consumer products
Gallen, Christie, Banks, Andrew, Brandsma, Sicco, Baduel, Christine, Thai, Phong., Eaglesham, Geoff, Heffernan, Amy, Leonards, Pim, Bainton, Paul and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). Towards development of a rapid and effective non-destructive testing strategy to identify brominated flame retardants in the plastics of consumer products. Science of the Total Environment, 491-492, 255-265. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.01.074
2014
Journal Article
A Simple and Rapid Method to Measure Residue of Cefexime - a Cephalosporin Antibiotic in the Wastewater of Pharmaceutical Production Plant
Hue, Tran Thi Thanh, Son, Doan Cao, Anh. Nguyen Thi Lan, Anh, Nguyen Thi Kieu, Phong, Thai Khanh and Hiramatsu, Kazuaki (2014). A Simple and Rapid Method to Measure Residue of Cefexime - a Cephalosporin Antibiotic in the Wastewater of Pharmaceutical Production Plant. Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture Kyushu University, 59 (1), 169-175. doi: 10.5109/1434408
2014
Journal Article
A model to estimate the population contributing to the wastewater using samples collected on census day
O'Brien, Jake W., Thai, Phong K., Eaglesham, Geoff, Ort, Christoph, Scheidegger, Andreas, Carter, Steve, Lai, Foon Yin and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). A model to estimate the population contributing to the wastewater using samples collected on census day. Environmental Science and Technology, 48 (1), 517-525. doi: 10.1021/es403251g
2014
Journal Article
Commentary on Ort etal. (2014): What next to deliver on the promise of large scale sewage-based drug epidemiology?
Bruno, Raimondo, Hall, Wayne, Kirkbride, K. Paul, Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake W., Prichard, Jeremy, Thai, Phong K. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). Commentary on Ort etal. (2014): What next to deliver on the promise of large scale sewage-based drug epidemiology?. Addiction, 109 (8), 1353-1354. doi: 10.1111/add.12651
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
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Doctor Philosophy
A Wastewater-based Epidemiology Study on the Consumption Characteristics, Prevalence, and Risk Assessment of Psychoactive Substances in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiuda Zheng, Dr Ben Tscharke
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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
Understanding the vaping epidemic through novel integrative monitoring tool
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiuda Zheng
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Doctor Philosophy
Human exposure pathways for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Sandra Nilsson, Dr Fisher Wang
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Doctor Philosophy
Using multiple data sources to understand the opioid crisis in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Dr Ben Tscharke
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
The metabolic syndrome in relation to nutritional status among adults in Vietnam
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Abdullah Mamun, Associate Professor Dung Phung
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2025
Master Philosophy
Exposure to third-hand smoke of methamphetamine: investigation of the extent of contamination including airborne methamphetamine
Principal Advisor
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating use of nicotine containing products and evaluating tobacco-related health risks through wastewater analysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Ben Tscharke
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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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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Social norms toward cigarette smoking and other nicotine product use: trends and influences across populations and regulatory contexts
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Professor Coral Gartner, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
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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: Associate Professor 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, Associate Professor 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
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
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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
Media
Enquiries
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