i was cutting onions today and my eyes started burning relly bad how does thid happen
2007-06-10 10:53:15 · 6 answers · asked by shod3 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
"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."
2007-06-10 11:30:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It only hurts while you cut the onion, it won't do long-term damage.
The older the onion, the stronger the sting in your eyes. To minimize the effect, cut your onion a bit, then rinse your hands for a few seconds under cold water. Then return to finish cutting the onion. Older and larger onions may need a few trips to the sink for a cold rinse.
2007-06-10 11:00:57 · answer #2 · answered by Jeanne B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the fumes from the onions. It is nothing bad, it just stings for awhile, then it goes away. Just don't rub your eyes with onion juice on your hands..makes it worse.
2007-06-10 11:00:45 · answer #3 · answered by Misty H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its because of the gasses released from the onion. Everytime I chop onions, my makeup runs everywhere! Lol.
=]
2007-06-10 11:11:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is the fumes that come from the onions insides it dosent happen when you dont cut it just when you cut it same with garlic
2007-06-10 10:58:58 · answer #5 · answered by smell the tomato 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not bad but who cares
2007-06-10 11:02:38 · answer #6 · answered by M&M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋