2006-12-07 15:29:25 · 10 answers · asked by just curious 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
What causes the onion to act as a tear-gas bomb? There are juices and chemicals inside the onion's tissues; when your knife breaks the onion's cells a certain compound becomes airborne as a fine mist. This compound is called propanethial-S-oxide, which is a type of sulfoxide. When the misty droplets encounter a wet surface (your eyes or nose membranes) it dissolves into a form of sulfuric acid, which is understandably irritating to your sensitive organs.
You can look at this website for how to cut an onion without crying.
2006-12-07 18:01:55 · answer #1 · answered by Emily 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's the onion's defence mechanism and it's the sulfur in the onion which reacts with the moist surface of the eye and nose to make them both drip. I use swimming goggles to cut mine. lol
Find a defense mechanism for THAT, little onions!! ;o)
2006-12-07 23:34:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
OH MY YES!!!! It takes me for EVER to cut an onion up. Start cutting, run to the living room and dry my eyes, back to the kitchen and cut another slice and gone again. If I have anyone here at the time, I BEGGGGGG them to cut it for me.
2006-12-07 23:32:56 · answer #3 · answered by mom of 2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It releases the chemicals in the onion into the air- specifically, sulphur-based compounds that irritate the mucous membranes in your nose, eyes, and sinuses, causing your tear glands to attempt to wash the irritant away- and thus, the watering of the eyes. The effect is lessened somewhat if you wear contact lenses.
2006-12-07 23:35:12 · answer #4 · answered by leopardstripes 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because they're horrible veggies that love making people cry. Since they aren't allowed to talk or move (the special rule of all veggies) they have to stare a super strong, invisible glare at the humans. The glare is so strong that it results in us crying. I don't know why they hate us so much... well, maybe because we eat them, but you don't see the bananas shooting laser beams at us, do you.
2006-12-07 23:33:02 · answer #5 · answered by Bubble T 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
because of the onions of course.. ^^
2006-12-07 23:31:52 · answer #6 · answered by coLd frOsT 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Only when I accidentally cut my finger off.
2006-12-07 23:31:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
run them under watter and you will not cry
2006-12-07 23:36:40 · answer #8 · answered by amberharris20022000 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
becoz of the chemicals in it
2006-12-07 23:39:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They don't. They make your eyes water.
2006-12-07 23:31:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋