What is the eye irritating compound when cutting onions?
A. Carbon
B. Nitrogen
C. Sulphur
D. Hydrogen
The correct answer is Sulphur.
- The sulphur is the eye irritating compound that is released when cutting onions.
- The syn-Propanethial-S-oxide is the chemical irritant produced by an onion.
- This chemical stimulates the eyes' lachrymal glands which release tears.
- Previously scientists used to blame enzyme alinase for the instability of substances in a cut onion.
- In 2002, a study in Japan proved that lachrymatory factor synthase is responsible for irritation of the eyes.

