djw@qumix.UUCP (David Wright) (05/01/85)
An article in the newspaper today covered the topic of cutting onions and eye irritation. The chemical which irritates the cornea of the eye is thiopropanal s-oxide. It is a sulfur based enzyme which reacts on the cornea of the eye. The only two solutions to reduce eye irritation based on scientific fact are: 1. Cover the eye completely, such as a pair of goggles. Glasses and contact will help to lesser degree. 2. Chill the oniion. this will slow the molecular flow of the enzymes out of the onions.
mjc@cmu-cs-cad.ARPA (Monica Cellio) (05/07/85)
I have found that if I cut the onion in half and rinse the two halves thoroughly in cold water, I can make it through the rest of the onion without trouble. And it's fairly easy to handle one cut.... -Dragon -- UUCP: ...ucbvax!dual!lll-crg!dragon ARPA: monica.cellio@cmu-cs-cad or dragon@lll-crg