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Associate Professor Phong Thai
Associate Professor

Phong Thai

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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

280 works between 2006 and 2025

81 - 100 of 280 works

2022

Journal Article

Assessing alcohol consumption in a Chinese urban population and a university town using high temporal resolution wastewater-based epidemiology

Zheng, Qiuda, Chan, Gary C.K., Wang, Zhe, Connor, Jason P., Ren, Yuan and Thai, Phong K. (2022). Assessing alcohol consumption in a Chinese urban population and a university town using high temporal resolution wastewater-based epidemiology. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 230 109178, 109178. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109178

Assessing alcohol consumption in a Chinese urban population and a university town using high temporal resolution wastewater-based epidemiology

2021

Journal Article

The impact of COVID-19 on antidepressant sales and prescription dispensing in Australia

Tscharke, Ben J., Hollingworth, Samantha, van Driel, Mieke L., O’Brien, Jake W. and Thai, Phong K. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on antidepressant sales and prescription dispensing in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56 (7), 000486742110683-872. doi: 10.1177/00048674211068396

The impact of COVID-19 on antidepressant sales and prescription dispensing in Australia

2021

Journal Article

Assessment of total concentrations of heavy metals in industrial sludges from the North of Vietnam and their potential impact on the ecosystem

Van Thinh, Nguyen, Chung, Nguyen Thuy, Luong, Ly Thi Mai, Chinh, Pham Minh, Anh, Phan Phuong, Huy, Nguyen The, Thuy, Dang Thi and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Assessment of total concentrations of heavy metals in industrial sludges from the North of Vietnam and their potential impact on the ecosystem. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29 (28), 42055-42066. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-17619-8

Assessment of total concentrations of heavy metals in industrial sludges from the North of Vietnam and their potential impact on the ecosystem

2021

Journal Article

Analysing wastewater to estimate fentanyl and tramadol use in major Chinese cities

Du, Peng, Zhou, Zilei, Wang, Zhenglu, Xu, Zeqiong, Zheng, Qiuda, Li, Xinyue, He, Jia, Li, Xiqing, Cheng, Hongguang and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Analysing wastewater to estimate fentanyl and tramadol use in major Chinese cities. Science of the Total Environment, 795 148838, 148838. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148838

Analysing wastewater to estimate fentanyl and tramadol use in major Chinese cities

2021

Journal Article

The impact of incense burning on indoor PM2.5 concentrations in residential houses in Hanoi, Vietnam

Long, K. Tran, Lidia, Morawska, Quang, Tran N., E. Rohan, Jayaratne, Hue, Nguyen T., Dat, Mac V., Phi, Thai Ha and Thai, Phong K. (2021). The impact of incense burning on indoor PM2.5 concentrations in residential houses in Hanoi, Vietnam. Building and Environment, 205 108228, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108228

The impact of incense burning on indoor PM2.5 concentrations in residential houses in Hanoi, Vietnam

2021

Journal Article

Estimating population‐level of alcohol, tobacco and morphine use in a small Russian region using wastewater‐based epidemiology

Rozhanets, Vladimir V., Thai, Phong K., Silantyev, Artemy S., Gandlevskiy, Nikita A., Connor, Jason P., Eganov, Alexander A., Jang, Mongjoo, Pirogov, Andrey V., Shpigun, Oleg A., Priadka, Aleksey and Nosyrev, Alexander E. (2021). Estimating population‐level of alcohol, tobacco and morphine use in a small Russian region using wastewater‐based epidemiology. Drug and Alcohol Review, 40 (7), 1186-1194. doi: 10.1111/dar.13334

Estimating population‐level of alcohol, tobacco and morphine use in a small Russian region using wastewater‐based epidemiology

2021

Journal Article

Current and future perspectives for wastewater-based epidemiology as a monitoring tool for pharmaceutical use

Boogaerts, Tim, Ahmed, Fahad, Choi, Phil.M, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake, De Loof, Hans, Gao, Jianfa, Thai, Phong, Thomas, Kevin, Mueller, Jochen F., Hall, Wayne, Covaci, Adrian and van Nuijs, Alexander L.N. (2021). Current and future perspectives for wastewater-based epidemiology as a monitoring tool for pharmaceutical use. Science of the Total Environment, 789 148047, 148047. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148047

Current and future perspectives for wastewater-based epidemiology as a monitoring tool for pharmaceutical use

2021

Journal Article

Comparison of tobacco use in a university town and a nearby urban area in China by intensive analysis of wastewater over one year period

Wang, Zhe, Zheng, Qiuda, Gartner, Coral, Chan, Gary C.K., Ren, Yuan, Wang, Degao and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Comparison of tobacco use in a university town and a nearby urban area in China by intensive analysis of wastewater over one year period. Water Research, 206 117733, 117733. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117733

Comparison of tobacco use in a university town and a nearby urban area in China by intensive analysis of wastewater over one year period

2021

Journal Article

Assessing the impact of traffic emissions on fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide levels in Hanoi through covid-19 social distancing periods

Le, Nhung H., Ly, Bich-Thuy, Thai, Phong K., Pham, Gia-Huy, Ngo, Ich-Hung, Do, Van-Nguyet, Le, Thuy T., Nhu, Luan V., Son, Ha Dang, Nguyen, Yen-Lien T., Pham, Duong H. and Vu, Tuan V. (2021). Assessing the impact of traffic emissions on fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide levels in Hanoi through covid-19 social distancing periods. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 21 (10) 210081, 210081. doi: 10.4209/AAQR.210081

Assessing the impact of traffic emissions on fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide levels in Hanoi through covid-19 social distancing periods

2021

Journal Article

Assessing patterns of illicit drug use in a Chinese city by analyzing daily wastewater samples over a one-year period

Zheng, Qiuda, Ren, Yuan, Wang, Zhe, Liu, Jinhua, Zhang, Yu, Lin, Wenting, Gao, Jianfa, Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Assessing patterns of illicit drug use in a Chinese city by analyzing daily wastewater samples over a one-year period. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 417 125999, 125999. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125999

Assessing patterns of illicit drug use in a Chinese city by analyzing daily wastewater samples over a one-year period

2021

Journal Article

In-sewer stability of selected analgesics and their metabolites

Ahmed, Fahad, Li, Jiaying, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Samanipour, Saer, Thai, Phong K., Yuan, Zhiguo, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2021). In-sewer stability of selected analgesics and their metabolites. Water Research, 204 117647, 117647. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117647

In-sewer stability of selected analgesics and their metabolites

2021

Journal Article

Occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in wastewater of major cities across China in 2014 and 2016

Lu, Yintao, Gao, Jianfa, Nguyen, Hue T., Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Du, Peng, Li, Xiqing, Yao, Hong, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in wastewater of major cities across China in 2014 and 2016. Chemosphere, 279 130590, 130590. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130590

Occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in wastewater of major cities across China in 2014 and 2016

2021

Journal Article

Using the health beliefs model to explore children's attitudes and beliefs on air pollution

Le, H.T.C.H., Dang, T.N., Ware, R., Phung, D., Thai, P.K., Sly, P.D. and Le An, P. (2021). Using the health beliefs model to explore children's attitudes and beliefs on air pollution. Public Health, 196, 4-9. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.04.026

Using the health beliefs model to explore children's attitudes and beliefs on air pollution

2021

Journal Article

Effects of pH, temperature, suspended solids, and biological activity on transformation of illicit drug and pharmaceutical biomarkers in sewers

Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, Zheng, Qiuda, Thai, Phong K., Duan, Haoran, Mueller, Jochen F., Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2021). Effects of pH, temperature, suspended solids, and biological activity on transformation of illicit drug and pharmaceutical biomarkers in sewers. Environmental Science and Technology, 55 (13), 8771-8782. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01516

Effects of pH, temperature, suspended solids, and biological activity on transformation of illicit drug and pharmaceutical biomarkers in sewers

2021

Journal Article

Using prescription and wastewater data to estimate the correction factors of atenolol, carbamazepine, and naproxen for wastewater-based epidemiology applications

Gao, Jianfa, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Choi, Phil M., O’Brien, Jake W., Boogaerts, Tim, Jiang, Hui, Yang, Mengting, Hollingworth, Samantha A. and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Using prescription and wastewater data to estimate the correction factors of atenolol, carbamazepine, and naproxen for wastewater-based epidemiology applications. Environmental Science and Technology, 55 (11) acs.est.1c00931, 7551-7560. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00931

Using prescription and wastewater data to estimate the correction factors of atenolol, carbamazepine, and naproxen for wastewater-based epidemiology applications

2021

Conference Publication

Significant lack of recognition of asthma in Vietnamese children

Le, H., Ware, R., Phung, D., Thai, P., Tran, D., Nguyen, , Pham, A. and Sly, P. (2021). Significant lack of recognition of asthma in Vietnamese children. TSANZSRS 2021 The Australia & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science, Online, 1-2 May 2021. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/resp.14022

Significant lack of recognition of asthma in Vietnamese children

2021

Journal Article

Impact of temperature on hospital admission for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among pre-school children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ngo, Hieu K.T., Luong, Ly M. T., Le, Hong H.T.C, Dang, Tran Ngoc, Le Pham, An, Phung, Dung and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Impact of temperature on hospital admission for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among pre-school children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. International Journal of Biometeorology, 65 (7), 1-10. doi: 10.1007/s00484-021-02104-1

Impact of temperature on hospital admission for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among pre-school children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

2021

Journal Article

Estimating alcohol consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology: an assessment of the correction factor for ethyl sulfate using large-scale national monitoring data

Thai, Phong K., Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake W., Zheng, Qiuda, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2021). Estimating alcohol consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology: an assessment of the correction factor for ethyl sulfate using large-scale national monitoring data. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 8 (4), 333-338. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00065

Estimating alcohol consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology: an assessment of the correction factor for ethyl sulfate using large-scale national monitoring data

2021

Journal Article

Formation and partitioning behaviour of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in waste activated sludge during anaerobic digestion

Li, Yijing, Bräunig, Jennifer, Angelica, Guerrero C., Thai, Phong K., Mueller, Jochen F. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2021). Formation and partitioning behaviour of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in waste activated sludge during anaerobic digestion. Water Research, 189 116583, 116583. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116583

Formation and partitioning behaviour of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in waste activated sludge during anaerobic digestion

2021

Journal Article

Air quality during and after the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Australia: multiple benefits of monitoring

Kuhn, Tara, Jayaratne, Rohan, Thai, Phong K., Christensen, Bryce, Liu, Xiaoting, Dunbabin, Matthew, Lamont, Riki, Zing, Isak, Wainwright, David, Witte, Christian, Neale, Donald and Morawska, Lidia (2021). Air quality during and after the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Australia: multiple benefits of monitoring. Journal of Aerosol Science, 152 105707, 105707. doi: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2020.105707

Air quality during and after the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Australia: multiple benefits of monitoring

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
  • 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

  • 2022 - 2025
    Realistic assessment of biomarker transformation in the wastewater system
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 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

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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communications@uq.edu.au