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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2019
Journal Article
Particle emissions from laser printers: have they decreased?
Morawska, Lidia, Xiu, Meng, He, Congrong, Buonanno, Giorgio, McGarry, Peter, Maumy, Bastien, Stabile, Luca and Thai, Phong K. (2019). Particle emissions from laser printers: have they decreased?. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 6 (5) acs.estlett.9b00176, 300-305. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.9b00176
2019
Journal Article
Experimental investigation and modelling of the transformation of illicit drugs in a pilot-scale sewer system
Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, Thai, Phong K, Shypanski, Adam, Nieradzik, Ludwika, Mueller, Jochen F, Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2019). Experimental investigation and modelling of the transformation of illicit drugs in a pilot-scale sewer system. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (8) acs.est.8b06169, 4556-4565. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06169
2019
Journal Article
Variation of indoor minimum mortality temperature in different cities: evidence of local adaptations
Thai, Phong K., Cândido, Christhina, Asumadu-Sakyi, Akwasi, Barnett, Adrian and Morawska, Lidia (2019). Variation of indoor minimum mortality temperature in different cities: evidence of local adaptations. Environmental Pollution, 246, 745-752. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.061
2019
Conference Publication
Expanding wastewater-based epidemiology to inform on public health
Thomas, Kevin, O'Brien, Jake, Tscharke, Benjamin, Choi, Phil, Thai, Phong, Mackie, Miss, Verhagen, Rory, Shimko, Katja, Ahmed, Fahad, O'Malley, Elissa, Zheng, Quida and Mueller, Jochen (2019). Expanding wastewater-based epidemiology to inform on public health. Fall National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS), San Diego, CA, United States, 25-29 August 2019. Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society.
2019
Conference Publication
Implication of in-sewer stability testing of markers for wastewater-based epidemiology
O'Brien, Jake W. , Jiang, Guangming , Gao, Jianfa , Li, Jiaying , Banks, Andrew , Mueller, Jochen F. , Choi, Phil , Thomas, Kevin V. , Ort, Christoph , Tscharke, Benjamin J. and Thai, Phong K. (2019). Implication of in-sewer stability testing of markers for wastewater-based epidemiology. ACS Fall 2019 National Meeting & Exposition, San Diego, CA, United States, 25-29 August 2019. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
2019
Journal Article
Impact of ambient air pollution and wheeze-associated disorders in children in Southeast Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Luong, Ly M.T., Sly, Peter D., Thai, Phong K. and Phung, Dung (2019). Impact of ambient air pollution and wheeze-associated disorders in children in Southeast Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reviews on Environmental Health, 34 (2), 125-139. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2018-0079
2019
Conference Publication
Monitoring opioid use through wastewater-based epidemiology: Case of methadone in Australia and China
Thai, Phong, O'Brien, Jake, Tscharke, Benjamin, Du, Peng, Li, Xiqing, Bruno, Raimondo, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2019). Monitoring opioid use through wastewater-based epidemiology: Case of methadone in Australia and China. Fall National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), San Diego, CA, United States, 25-29 August 2019. Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Phong Thai is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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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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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
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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Doctor Philosophy
Using multiple data sources to understand the opioid crisis in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Dr Ben Tscharke
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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 Fisher Wang
Completed supervision
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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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2025
Master Philosophy
Exposure to third-hand smoke of methamphetamine: investigation of the extent of contamination including airborne methamphetamine
Principal Advisor
-
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: 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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