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A member asked:
Why do the onions cause getting out the tears?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Sulfur: Cutting through an onion releases sulfur compounds that are volatile and noxious. The eyes tear as a natural defense to dilute or wash away these chemicals.
Answered 11/15/2013
4.7k views
Quote from Chemistry: "when you cut an onion, you break cells, releasing their contents. Amino acid sulfoxides form sulfenic acids. Enzymes that were kept separate now are free to mix with the sulfenic acids to produce propanethiol s-oxide, a volatile sulfur compound that wafts upward toward your eyes. This gas reacts with the water in your tears to form sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid burns, and your eyes tear up".
Answered 6/24/2014
4.7k views
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