Quantification of Malondialdehyde in Atmospheric Aerosols: Application of the Thiobarbituric Acid Method

Based on available toxicity data, malondialdehyde (MDA; O=CHCH2CH=O) has been designated as a potential human carcinogen. A handful of studies suggest that MDA forms in the gas and aerosol phase troposphere, potentially contributing to inhalation toxicity, yet it never quantified ambient air. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay for (MDA) used marker reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation biological samples decades. Here we apply TBA estimate amount fine particulate matter (PM2.5) first time, containing biomass burning/urban from Fresno, CA, urban Los Angeles. We found 0.31–0.75 ng m-3 particle phase, similar low end, but about three orders magnitude lower than upper end reported concentrations common C3 oxygenates methylglyoxal malonic acid. Additionally, investigated response seven small oxygenates, interference only acrolein, when acrolein was at millimolar concentrations, well above expected levels extracts. In sum, this work suggests is present moderate burning aerosols; more may be phase.