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

280 works between 2006 and 2025

101 - 120 of 280 works

2021

Journal Article

Transformation of phthalates and their metabolites in wastewater under different sewer conditions

He, Chang, Li, Jiaying, Jiang, Guangming, Chen, Shuo, Niel, Cherry, Yuan, Zhiguo, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong (2021). Transformation of phthalates and their metabolites in wastewater under different sewer conditions. Water Research, 190 116754, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116754

Transformation of phthalates and their metabolites in wastewater under different sewer conditions

2021

Journal Article

Motorcyclists have much higher exposure to black carbon compared to other commuters in traffic of Hanoi, Vietnam

Quang, Tran Ngoc, Hue, Nguyen Thi, Dat, Mac Van, Tran, Long K., Phi, Thai Ha, Morawska, Lidia and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Motorcyclists have much higher exposure to black carbon compared to other commuters in traffic of Hanoi, Vietnam. Atmospheric Environment, 245 118029, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118029

Motorcyclists have much higher exposure to black carbon compared to other commuters in traffic of Hanoi, Vietnam

2021

Journal Article

The effect of cold-start emissions on the diurnal variation of carbon monoxide concentration in a city centre

Jayaratne, Rohan, Thai, Phong, Christensen, Bryce, Liu, Xiaoting, Zing, Isak, Lamont, Riki, Dunbabin, Matthew, Dawkins, Laura, Bertrand, Lidwina and Morawska, Lidia (2021). The effect of cold-start emissions on the diurnal variation of carbon monoxide concentration in a city centre. Atmospheric Environment, 245 118035, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118035

The effect of cold-start emissions on the diurnal variation of carbon monoxide concentration in a city centre

2021

Journal Article

Characterising the exposure of Australian firefighters to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated in simulated compartment fires

Banks, Andrew P.W., Thai, Phong, Engelsman, Michelle, Wang, Xianyu, Osorio, Andres F. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2021). Characterising the exposure of Australian firefighters to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated in simulated compartment fires. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 231 113637, 113637. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113637

Characterising the exposure of Australian firefighters to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated in simulated compartment fires

2021

Journal Article

Predicting rice pesticide fate and transport following foliage application by an updated PCPF-1 model

Tu, Le Hoang, Boulange, Julien, Phong, Thai Khanh, Thuyet, Dang Quoc, Watanabe, Hirozumi and Takagi, Kazuhiro (2021). Predicting rice pesticide fate and transport following foliage application by an updated PCPF-1 model. Journal of Environmental Management, 277 111356, 111356. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111356

Predicting rice pesticide fate and transport following foliage application by an updated PCPF-1 model

2021

Journal Article

Removal of lead and other toxic metals in heavily contaminated soil using biodegradable chelators: GLDA, citric acid and ascorbic acid

Thinh, Nguyen Van, Osanai, Yasuhito, Adachi, Tatsuro, Vuong, Bui Thi Sinh, Kitano, Ippei, Chung, Nguyen Thuy and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Removal of lead and other toxic metals in heavily contaminated soil using biodegradable chelators: GLDA, citric acid and ascorbic acid. Chemosphere, 263 127912, 127912. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127912

Removal of lead and other toxic metals in heavily contaminated soil using biodegradable chelators: GLDA, citric acid and ascorbic acid

2020

Journal Article

Emissions of particulate matters, volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from warm and hot asphalt mixes

Xiu, Meng, Wang, Xianyu, Morawska, Lidia, Pass, David, Beecroft, Andrew, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong (2020). Emissions of particulate matters, volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from warm and hot asphalt mixes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 275 123094, 123094. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123094

Emissions of particulate matters, volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from warm and hot asphalt mixes

2020

Journal Article

Long-term trends in tobacco use assessed by wastewater-based epidemiology and its relationship with consumption of nicotine containing products

Zheng, Qiuda, Gartner, Coral, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., Gao, Jianfa, Ahmed, Fahad, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Long-term trends in tobacco use assessed by wastewater-based epidemiology and its relationship with consumption of nicotine containing products. Environmental International, 145 106088, 106088. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106088

Long-term trends in tobacco use assessed by wastewater-based epidemiology and its relationship with consumption of nicotine containing products

2020

Journal Article

Evaluating training need for epidemic control in three metropolitans: implications for COVID-19 preparedness in Vietnam

Nguyen, Diep Ngoc, Le, Huong Thi, Thai, Phong Khanh, Le, Xuan Thi Thanh, Hoang, Men Thi, Vu, Linh Gia, Do, Toan Thi Thanh, Do, Khanh Nam, Vu, Giap Van, Nguyen, Tu Huu, Le, Thanh Tuan, Tran, Trung Dinh, Truong, Dat Van, Do, Cuong Duy, Nguyen, Thu Ha, Phung, Dung Tri, Nghiem, Son Hong, Vu, Thuc Thi Minh, Tran, Bach Xuan, Latkin, Carl A., Ho, Roger C. M. and Ho, Cyrus S. H. (2020). Evaluating training need for epidemic control in three metropolitans: implications for COVID-19 preparedness in Vietnam. Frontiers in Public Health, 8 589331, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.589331

Evaluating training need for epidemic control in three metropolitans: implications for COVID-19 preparedness in Vietnam

2020

Journal Article

Determination of anabasine, anatabine, and nicotine biomarkers in wastewater by enhanced direct injection LC-MS/MS and evaluation of their in-sewer stability

Zheng, Qiuda, Eaglesham, Geoff, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., Li, Jiaying, Thompson, Jack, Shimko, Katja M., Reeks, Tim, Gerber, Cobus, Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Determination of anabasine, anatabine, and nicotine biomarkers in wastewater by enhanced direct injection LC-MS/MS and evaluation of their in-sewer stability. Science of The Total Environment, 743 140551, 140551. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140551

Determination of anabasine, anatabine, and nicotine biomarkers in wastewater by enhanced direct injection LC-MS/MS and evaluation of their in-sewer stability

2020

Conference Publication

Particulate air pollution and risk of ALRI hospital admission among young children in Ho Chi Minh city

Luong, T., Dang, T., Huong, N., Phung, D., Tran, L. K., Dung, D. and Thai, P. K. (2020). Particulate air pollution and risk of ALRI hospital admission among young children in Ho Chi Minh city. 32nd Annual Conference of The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology. The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE), Virtual, 24-27 August 2020. Durham, NC USA: Environmental Health Perspectives. doi: 10.1289/isee.2020.virtual.o-os-503

Particulate air pollution and risk of ALRI hospital admission among young children in Ho Chi Minh city

2020

Journal Article

Transformation of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals in sewer sediments

Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, Thai, Phong K., Mueller, Jochen F., Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2020). Transformation of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals in sewer sediments. Environmental Science and Technology, 54 (20) acs.est.0c04266, 13056-13065. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04266

Transformation of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals in sewer sediments

2020

Journal Article

In vitro biotransformation and evaluation of potential transformation products of chlorinated paraffins by high resolution accurate mass spectrometry

He, Chang, van Mourik, Louise, Tang, Shaoyu, Thai, Phong, Wang, Xianyu, Brandsma, Sicco H., Leonards, Pim E.G., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). In vitro biotransformation and evaluation of potential transformation products of chlorinated paraffins by high resolution accurate mass spectrometry. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 405 124245, 124245. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124245

In vitro biotransformation and evaluation of potential transformation products of chlorinated paraffins by high resolution accurate mass spectrometry

2020

Journal Article

Secondhand smoke in public places in Vietnam: an assessment 5 years after implementation of the tobacco control law

Tran, Long K., Morawska, Lidia, Gartner, Coral E., Huong, Le T. T., Le, Hong H. T. C. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Secondhand smoke in public places in Vietnam: an assessment 5 years after implementation of the tobacco control law. Tobacco Control, 30 (5), tobaccocontrol-2020. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2020-055753

Secondhand smoke in public places in Vietnam: an assessment 5 years after implementation of the tobacco control law

2020

Journal Article

Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater

Tang, Shaoyu, He, Chang, Thai, Phong K., Heffernan, Amy, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Toms, Leisa, Thompson, Kristie, Hobson, Peter, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake W., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology, 54 (16) acs.est.0c00921, 10141-10148. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00921

Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater

2020

Journal Article

Organophosphate esters and their specific metabolites in chicken eggs from across Australia: occurrence, profile, and distribution between yolk and albumin fractions

Li, Zongrui, He, Chang, Thai, Phong, Wang, Xianyu, Bräunig, Jennifer, Yu, Yunjiang, Luo, Xiaojun, Mai, Bixian and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Organophosphate esters and their specific metabolites in chicken eggs from across Australia: occurrence, profile, and distribution between yolk and albumin fractions. Environmental Pollution, 262 114260, 114260. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114260

Organophosphate esters and their specific metabolites in chicken eggs from across Australia: occurrence, profile, and distribution between yolk and albumin fractions

2020

Journal Article

Low-cost sensors as an alternative for long-term air quality monitoring

Liu, Xiaoting, Jayaratne, Rohan, Thai, Phong, Kuhn, Tara, Zing, Isak, Christensen, Bryce, Lamont, Riki, Dunbabin, Matthew, Zhu, Sicong, Gao, Jian, Wainwright, David, Neale, Donald, Kan, Ruby, Kirkwood, John and Morawska, Lidia (2020). Low-cost sensors as an alternative for long-term air quality monitoring. Environmental Research, 185 109438, 109438. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109438

Low-cost sensors as an alternative for long-term air quality monitoring

2020

Journal Article

Coverage of health information by different sources in communities: implication for COVID-19 epidemic response

Tran, Bach Xuan, Dang, Anh Kim, Thai, Phong Khanh, Le, Huong Thi, Le, Xuan Thanh Thi, Do, Toan Thanh Thi, Nguyen, Tu Huu, Pham, Hai Quang, Phan, Hai Thanh, Vu, Giang Thu, Phung, Dung Tri, Nghiem, Son Hong, Nguyen, Thu Ha, Tran, Trung Dinh, Do, Khanh Nam, Van Truong, Dat, Van Vu, Giap, Latkin, Carl A., Ho, Roger C. M. and Ho, Cyrus S. H. (2020). Coverage of health information by different sources in communities: implication for COVID-19 epidemic response. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (10) 3577, 3577. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17103577

Coverage of health information by different sources in communities: implication for COVID-19 epidemic response

2020

Journal Article

A revised excretion factor for estimating ketamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology – utilising wastewater and seizure data

Du, Peng, Zheng, Qiuda, Thomas, Kevin V., Li, Xiqing and Thai, Phong K. (2020). A revised excretion factor for estimating ketamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology – utilising wastewater and seizure data. Environment International, 138 105645, 105645. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105645

A revised excretion factor for estimating ketamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology – utilising wastewater and seizure data

2020

Journal Article

Monitoring the levels of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants in passenger cars: utilisation of car air filters as active samplers

Tran, Long K., He, Chang, Phuc, Dam Hoang, Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Wang, Xianyu, Xiu, Meng, Mueller, Jochen F., Covaci, Adrian, Morawska, Lidia and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Monitoring the levels of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants in passenger cars: utilisation of car air filters as active samplers. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 91, 142-150. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.01.014

Monitoring the levels of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants in passenger cars: utilisation of car air filters as active samplers

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

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