Why is it that our eyes sting and some of us cry while cutting onions?

Question

Why? I was wondering this after chopping an onion today.

Answer 1

When onions are cut, amino acid sulfoxides are emitted into the air and reach out tear glands. When the gas meets the tears, it turns into sulfuric acid which aggravates the eyes, causing us to "cry". A simple way to prevent this is cutting onions in a bowl of water.

Answer 2

youre cutting cells in the onion that have enzymes which turn into and release a kind of "gas" that produces sulfuric acid among other things that will irritate your eyes.

the wonders of chemistry...

you can run onions under cold water or keep them in the refrigerator until your ready to use them to cut down the tear factor.

Answer 3

I heard that chewing gum while cutting onions stops you from crying..

never tried it out before, but it seems interesting, lol

Answer 4

onions contain an oil, that contain sulfur

it is an irritant to human eyes and nose

once  the root is cut it releases it and it makes your eyes water