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
2018
Journal Article
Occurrence of antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in effluents of pharmaceutical manufacturers and other sources around Hanoi, Vietnam
Thai, Phong K., Ky, Le Xuan, Binh, Vu Ngan, Nhung, Pham Hong, Nhan, Pham Thi, Hieu, Ngo Quang, Dang, Nhung T.T., Tam, Nguyen Kieu Bang and Anh, Nguyen Thi Kieu (2018). Occurrence of antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in effluents of pharmaceutical manufacturers and other sources around Hanoi, Vietnam. Science of the Total Environment, 645, 393-400. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.126
2018
Journal Article
A National Wastewater Monitoring Program for a better understanding of public health: a case study using the Australian Census
O'Brien, Jake W., Grant, Sharon, Banks, Andrew P.W., Bruno, Raimondo, Carter, Stephen, Choi, Phil M., Covaci, Adrian, Crosbie, Nicholas D., Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Jiang, Guangming, Kaserzon, Sarit, Kirkbride, K. Paul, Lai, Foon Yin, Mackie, Rachel, Marshall, Judi, Ort, Christoph, Paxman, Christopher, Prichard, Jeremy, Thai, Phong, Thomas, Kevin V., Tscharke, Ben and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). A National Wastewater Monitoring Program for a better understanding of public health: a case study using the Australian Census. Environment International, 122, 400-411. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.12.003
2018
Journal Article
Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine and methamphetamine in wastewater: a 7-year study in regional and urban Queensland, Australia
Gao, Jianfa, Xu, Zeqiong, Li, Xiqing, O'Brien, Jake W., Culshaw, Peter N., Thomas, Kevin V., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine and methamphetamine in wastewater: a 7-year study in regional and urban Queensland, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 643, 827-834. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.242
2018
Journal Article
'Ice rushes', data shadows and methylamphetamine use in rural towns: wastewater analysis
Prichard, Jeremy, Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake, Bruno, Raimondo, Thai, Phong, Hall, Wayne, Kirkbride, Paul, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). 'Ice rushes', data shadows and methylamphetamine use in rural towns: wastewater analysis. Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 29 (3), 195-208. doi: 10.1080/10345329.2018.12036097
2018
Journal Article
Effects of temperature on hospitalisation among pre-school children in Hanoi, Vietnam
Luong, Ly M. T., Phung, Dung, Sly, Peter D., Dang, Tran Ngoc, Morawska, Lidia and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Effects of temperature on hospitalisation among pre-school children in Hanoi, Vietnam. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26 (3), 2603-2612. doi: 10.1007/s11356-018-3737-9
2018
Journal Article
Exploratory assessment of outdoor and indoor airborne black carbon in different locations of Hanoi, Vietnam
Tran, Long K., Quang, Tran Ngoc, Hue, Nguyen Thi, Van Dat, Mac, Morawska, Lidia, Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Exploratory assessment of outdoor and indoor airborne black carbon in different locations of Hanoi, Vietnam. Science of The Total Environment, 642, 1233-1241. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.146
2018
Journal Article
Emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from the residential burning of waste paper briquettes and other fuels
Xiu, Meng, Stevanovic, Svetlana, Rahman, Md Mostafizur, Pourkhesalian, Ali Mohammad, Morawska, Lidia and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from the residential burning of waste paper briquettes and other fuels. Environmental Research, 167, 536-543. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.08.008
2018
Journal Article
Concentrations of Organophosphate Esters and Their Specific Metabolites in Food in Southeast Queensland, Australia: Is Dietary Exposure an Important Pathway of Organophosphate Esters and Their Metabolites?
He, Chang, Wang, Xianyu, Tang, Shaoyu, Thai, Phong, Li, Zongrui, Baduel, Christine and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Concentrations of Organophosphate Esters and Their Specific Metabolites in Food in Southeast Queensland, Australia: Is Dietary Exposure an Important Pathway of Organophosphate Esters and Their Metabolites?. Environmental Science & Technology, 52 (21) acs.est.8b03043, 12765-12773. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03043
2018
Journal Article
Seasonal association between ambient ozone and hospital admission for respiratory diseases in Hanoi, Vietnam
Luong, Ly M. T., Phung, Dung, Dang, Tran Ngoc, Sly, Peter D., Morawska, Lidia and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Seasonal association between ambient ozone and hospital admission for respiratory diseases in Hanoi, Vietnam. PLoS ONE, 13 (9) e0203751, 1-15. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203751
2018
Conference Publication
Seasonal association between ambient ozone and hospital admission for respiratory in Hanoi, Vietnam
Luong, Ly Mai, Dang, Tran Ngoc, Phung, Dung, Sly, Peter, Morawska, Lidia and Thai, Phong (2018). Seasonal association between ambient ozone and hospital admission for respiratory in Hanoi, Vietnam. International Society of Exposure Science and International Society for Environmental Epidemiology Joint Annual Meeting 2018, Ottawa, Canada, 26–30 August 2018. Durham, NC USA: Environmental Health Perspectives. doi: 10.1289/isesisee.2018.p01.1280
2018
Journal Article
The influence of humidity on the performance of a low-cost air particle mass sensor and the effect of atmospheric fog
Jayaratne, Rohan, Liu, Xiaoting, Thai, Phong, Dunbabin, Matthew and Morawska, Lidia (2018). The influence of humidity on the performance of a low-cost air particle mass sensor and the effect of atmospheric fog. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 11 (8), 4883-4890. doi: 10.5194/amt-11-4883-2018
2018
Journal Article
Comparing methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, codeine and methadone use between the Auckland region and four Australian states using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)
Wilkins, Chris, Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake, Thai, Phong and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Comparing methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, codeine and methadone use between the Auckland region and four Australian states using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). The New Zealand Medical Journal, 131 (1478), 12-20.
2018
Journal Article
Emission and health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds in various processes of a petroleum refinery in the Pearl River Delta, China
Zhang, Zhijuan, Yan, Xiuying, Gao, Feilong, Thai, Phong, Wang, Hao, Chen, Dan, Zhou, Lei, Gong, Daocheng, Li, Qinqin, Morawska, Lidia and Wang, Boguang (2018). Emission and health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds in various processes of a petroleum refinery in the Pearl River Delta, China. Environmental Pollution, 238, 452-461. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.054
2018
Journal Article
Applications of low-cost sensing technologies for air quality monitoring and exposure assessment: how far have they gone?
Morawska, Lidia, Thai, Phong K., Liu, Xiaoting, Asumadu-Sakyi, Akwasi, Ayoko, Godwin, Bartonova, Alena, Bedini, Andrea, Chai, Fahe, Christensen, Bryce, Dunbabin, Matthew, Gao, Jian, Hagler, Gayle S. W., Jayaratne, Rohan, Kumar, Prashant, Lau, Alexis K. H., Louie, Peter K. K., Mazaheri, Mandana, Ning, Zhi, Motta, Nunzio, Mullins, Ben, Rahman, Md Mahmudur, Ristovski, Zoran, Shafiei, Mahnaz, Tjondronegoro, Dian, Westerdahl, Dane and Williams, Ron (2018). Applications of low-cost sensing technologies for air quality monitoring and exposure assessment: how far have they gone?. Environment International, 116, 286-299. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.04.018
2018
Journal Article
Stability of alcohol and tobacco consumption biomarkers in a real rising main sewer
Gao, Jianfa, Li, Jiaying, Jiang, Guangming, Yuan, Zhiguo, Eaglesham, Geoff, Covaci, Adrian, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Stability of alcohol and tobacco consumption biomarkers in a real rising main sewer. Water Research, 138, 19-26. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.03.036
2018
Journal Article
Concentrations of organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers in urine from young children in Queensland, Australia and associations with environmental and behavioural factors
He, Chang, English, Karin, Baduel, Christine, Thai, Phong, Jagals, Paul, Ware, Robert S., Li, Yan, Wang, Xianyu, Sly, Peter D. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Concentrations of organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers in urine from young children in Queensland, Australia and associations with environmental and behavioural factors. Environmental Research, 164, 262-270. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.02.040
2018
Journal Article
Measuring spatial and temporal trends of nicotine and alcohol consumption in Australia using wastewater-based epidemiology
Lai, Foon Yin, Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Carter, Steve, O'Brien, Jake, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Been, Frederic, Gerber, Cobus, White, Jason, Thai, Phong, Bruno, Raimondo, Prichard, Jeremy, Kirkbride, K. Paul and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Measuring spatial and temporal trends of nicotine and alcohol consumption in Australia using wastewater-based epidemiology. Addiction, 113 (6), 1127-1136. doi: 10.1111/add.14157
2018
Journal Article
Chemical speciation and bioavailability concentration of arsenic and heavy metals in sediment and soil cores in estuarine ecosystem, Vietnam
Thinh, Nguyen Van, Osanai, Yasuhito, Adachi, Tatsuro, Thai, Phong K., Nakano, Nobuhiko, Ozaki, Akinori, Kuwahara, Yoshihiro, Kato, Ryosuke, Makio, Masato and Kurosawa, Kiyoshi (2018). Chemical speciation and bioavailability concentration of arsenic and heavy metals in sediment and soil cores in estuarine ecosystem, Vietnam. Microchemical Journal, 139, 268-277. doi: 10.1016/j.microc.2018.03.005
2018
Journal Article
Association between purity of drug seizures and illicit drug loads measured in wastewater in a South East Queensland catchment over a six year period
Bruno, Raimondo, Edirisinghe, Methsiri, Hall, Wayne, Mueller, Jochen F., Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake W. and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Association between purity of drug seizures and illicit drug loads measured in wastewater in a South East Queensland catchment over a six year period. Science of the Total Environment, 635, 779-783. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.192
2018
Journal Article
Assessment of drugs and personal care products biomarkers in the influent and effluent of two wastewater treatment plants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Nguyen, Hue T, Thai, Phong K, Kaserzon, Sarit L, O'Brien, Jake W, Eaglesham, Geoff and Mueller, Jochen F (2018). Assessment of drugs and personal care products biomarkers in the influent and effluent of two wastewater treatment plants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Science of the Total Environment, 631-632, 469-475. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.309
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
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
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
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
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