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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

121 - 140 of 280 works

2020

Journal Article

Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater

Tang, Shaoyu, He, Chang, Thai, Phong, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Mackie, Rachel, Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Thompson, Kristie, Hobson, Peter, Tscharke, Ben, O'Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater. Environment International, 137 105534, 105534. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105534

Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater

2020

Journal Article

Considerations for assessing stability of wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers using biofilm-free and sewer reactor tests

Choi, Phil Min, Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, O'Brien, Jake William, Thomas, Kevin Victor, Thai, Phong Khanh, Jiang, Guangming and Mueller, Jochen Friedrich (2020). Considerations for assessing stability of wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers using biofilm-free and sewer reactor tests. Science of The Total Environment, 709 136228, 136228. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136228

Considerations for assessing stability of wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers using biofilm-free and sewer reactor tests

2020

Journal Article

Analysis of urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cotinine in pooled urine samples to determine the exposure to PAHs in an Australian population

Thai, Phong K., Banks, Andrew P.W., Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Choi, Phil M., Wang, Xianyu, Hobson, Peter and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Analysis of urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cotinine in pooled urine samples to determine the exposure to PAHs in an Australian population. Environmental Research, 182 109048, 109048. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109048

Analysis of urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cotinine in pooled urine samples to determine the exposure to PAHs in an Australian population

2020

Journal Article

Low-cost PM2.5 sensors: An assessment of their suitability for various applications

Jayaratne, Rohan, Liu, Xiaoting, Ahn, Kang-Ho, Asumadu-Sakyi, Akwasi, Fisher, Gavin, Gao, Jian, Mabon, Adrian, Mazaheri, Mandana, Mullins, Benjamin, Nyaku, Mawutorli, Ristovski, Zoran, Scorgie, Yvonne, Thai, Phong, Dunbabin, Matthew and Morawska, Lidia (2020). Low-cost PM2.5 sensors: An assessment of their suitability for various applications. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 20 (3), 520-532. doi: 10.4209/aaqr.2018.10.0390

Low-cost PM2.5 sensors: An assessment of their suitability for various applications

2020

Journal Article

Using wastewater-based epidemiology to estimate consumption of alcohol and nicotine in major cities of China in 2014 and 2016

Gao, Jianfa, Zheng, Qiuda, Lai, Foon Yin, Gartner, Coral, Du, Peng, Ren, Yuan, Li, Xiqing, Wang, Degao, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Using wastewater-based epidemiology to estimate consumption of alcohol and nicotine in major cities of China in 2014 and 2016. Environment International, 136 105492, 105492. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105492

Using wastewater-based epidemiology to estimate consumption of alcohol and nicotine in major cities of China in 2014 and 2016

2020

Journal Article

Spatial patterns of health vulnerability to heatwaves in Vietnam

Tran, Dang Ngoc, Doan, Van Quang, Nguyen, Vien Truong, Khan, Ansar, Thai, Phong K., Cunrui, Huang, Chu, Cordia, Schak, Elena and Phung, Dung (2020). Spatial patterns of health vulnerability to heatwaves in Vietnam. International Journal of Biometeorology, 64 (5), 863-872. doi: 10.1007/s00484-020-01876-2

Spatial patterns of health vulnerability to heatwaves in Vietnam

2020

Journal Article

Monitoring consumption of common illicit drugs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by wastewater-cased epidemiology

Du, Peng, Liu, Xin, Zhong, Guangcai, Zhou, Zilei, Thomes, Margaret William, Lee, Choon Weng, Bong, Chui Wei, Zhang, Xuan, Hao, Fanghua, Li, Xiqing, Zhang, Gan and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Monitoring consumption of common illicit drugs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by wastewater-cased epidemiology. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (3) 889, 889. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17030889

Monitoring consumption of common illicit drugs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by wastewater-cased epidemiology

2020

Journal Article

New approach in the measurement of long-term alcohol consumption trends: application of wastewater-based epidemiology in an Australian regional city

Zheng, Qiuda, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Krapp, Catharina, O’Brien, Jake W., Mackie, Rachel S., Connor, Jason, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). New approach in the measurement of long-term alcohol consumption trends: application of wastewater-based epidemiology in an Australian regional city. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 207 107795, 107795. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107795

New approach in the measurement of long-term alcohol consumption trends: application of wastewater-based epidemiology in an Australian regional city

2020

Journal Article

Particulate air pollution in Ho Chi Minh city and risk of hospital admission for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among young children

Luong, Ly Thi Mai, Dang, Tran Ngoc, Thanh Huong, Nguyen Thi, Phung, Dung, Tran, Long K., Van Dung, Do and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Particulate air pollution in Ho Chi Minh city and risk of hospital admission for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among young children. Environmental Pollution, 257 113424, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113424

Particulate air pollution in Ho Chi Minh city and risk of hospital admission for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among young children

2019

Journal Article

Monitoring consumption of methadone and heroin in major Chinese cities by wastewater-based epidemiology

Du, Peng, Thai, Phong K., Bai, Ya, Zhou, Zilei, Xu, Zeqiong, Zhang, Xuan, Wang, Jing, Zhang, Congbin, Hao, Fanghua and Li, Xiqing (2019). Monitoring consumption of methadone and heroin in major Chinese cities by wastewater-based epidemiology. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 205 107532, 107532. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.06.034

Monitoring consumption of methadone and heroin in major Chinese cities by wastewater-based epidemiology

2019

Journal Article

Evaluating the stability of three oxidative stress biomarkers under sewer conditions and potential impact for use in wastewater-based epidemiology

O'Brien, Jake W., Choi, Phil M., Li, Jiaying, Thai, Phong K., Jiang, Guangming, Tscharke, Ben, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2019). Evaluating the stability of three oxidative stress biomarkers under sewer conditions and potential impact for use in wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 166 115068, 115068. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115068

Evaluating the stability of three oxidative stress biomarkers under sewer conditions and potential impact for use in wastewater-based epidemiology

2019

Journal Article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and legacy and current pesticides in indoor environment in Australia – Occurrence, sources and exposure risks

Wang, Xianyu, Banks, Andrew P.W., He, Chang, Drage, Daniel S., Gallen, Christie L., Li, Yan, Li, Qingbo, Thai, Phong K. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and legacy and current pesticides in indoor environment in Australia – Occurrence, sources and exposure risks. Science of the Total Environment, 693 133588, 133588. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133588

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and legacy and current pesticides in indoor environment in Australia – Occurrence, sources and exposure risks

2019

Journal Article

Seasonal temperature patterns and durations of acceptable temperature range in houses in Brisbane, Australia

Asumadu-Sakyi, A. B., Miller, W., Barnett, A. G., Thai, P. K., Jayaratne, E. R., Thompson, M. H., Roghani, R. and Morawska, L. (2019). Seasonal temperature patterns and durations of acceptable temperature range in houses in Brisbane, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 683, 470-479. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.145

Seasonal temperature patterns and durations of acceptable temperature range in houses in Brisbane, Australia

2019

Journal Article

Harnessing the power of the census: characterising wastewater treatment plant catchment populations for wastewater-based epidemiology

Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake, Ort, Christoph, Grant, Sharon, Gerber, Cobus, Bade, Richard, Thai, Phong K., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Harnessing the power of the census: characterising wastewater treatment plant catchment populations for wastewater-based epidemiology. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (17) acs.est.9b03447, 10303-10311. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03447

Harnessing the power of the census: characterising wastewater treatment plant catchment populations for wastewater-based epidemiology

2019

Journal Article

Evaluating the in-sewer stability of three potential population biomarkers for application in wastewater-based epidemiology

Thai, Phong K., O'Brien, Jake W., Banks, Andrew P. W., Jiang, Guangming, Gao, Jack, Choi, Phil M., Yuan, Zhiguo and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Evaluating the in-sewer stability of three potential population biomarkers for application in wastewater-based epidemiology. Science of The Total Environment, 671, 248-253. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.231

Evaluating the in-sewer stability of three potential population biomarkers for application in wastewater-based epidemiology

2019

Journal Article

Uncertainties in estimating alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology

Zheng, Qiuda, Tscharke, Ben, O’Brien, Jake, Gerber, Cobus, Mackie, Rachel, Gao, Jianfa and Thai, Phong (2019). Uncertainties in estimating alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology. Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health, 9, 13-18. doi: 10.1016/j.coesh.2019.03.004

Uncertainties in estimating alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology

2019

Journal Article

Temporal trends of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the influent of two of the largest wastewater treatment plants in Australia

Nguyen, Hue T., Kaserzon, Sarit L., Thai, Phong K., Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Bräunig, Jennifer, Crosbie, Nicholas D., Bignert, Anders and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Temporal trends of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the influent of two of the largest wastewater treatment plants in Australia. Emerging Contaminants, 5, 211-218. doi: 10.1016/j.emcon.2019.05.006

Temporal trends of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the influent of two of the largest wastewater treatment plants in Australia

2019

Journal Article

The relationship between indoor and outdoor temperature in warm and cool seasons in houses in Brisbane, Australia

Asumadu-Sakyi, A. B., Barnett, A. G., Thai, P., Jayaratne, E. R., Miller, W., Thompson, M. H., Roghani, R. and Morawska, L. (2019). The relationship between indoor and outdoor temperature in warm and cool seasons in houses in Brisbane, Australia. Energy and Buildings, 191, 127-142. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.03.010

The relationship between indoor and outdoor temperature in warm and cool seasons in houses in Brisbane, Australia

2019

Journal Article

Chlorinated paraffins in indoor dust from Australia: levels, congener patterns and preliminary assessment of human exposure

He, Chang, Brandsma, Sicco H., Jiang, Hui, O'Brien, Jake W., van Mourik, Louise M., Banks, Andrew P., Wang, Xianyu, Thai, Phong K. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Chlorinated paraffins in indoor dust from Australia: levels, congener patterns and preliminary assessment of human exposure. Science of the Total Environment, 682, 318-323. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.170

Chlorinated paraffins in indoor dust from Australia: levels, congener patterns and preliminary assessment of human exposure

2019

Journal Article

Determination of the association between indoor and outdoor temperature in selected houses and its application: a pilot study

Asumadu-Sakyi, A. B., Barnett, A. G., Thai, P. K., Jayaratne, E. R., Miller, W., Thompson, M. H., Rahman, M. M. and Morawska, L. (2019). Determination of the association between indoor and outdoor temperature in selected houses and its application: a pilot study. Advances in Building Energy Research, 15 (5), 548-582. doi: 10.1080/17512549.2019.1606732

Determination of the association between indoor and outdoor temperature in selected houses and its application: a pilot study

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