Dangers of Chemical Based Colours and Benefits of Organic Colours used in Holi

• 4th March 2015

Holi or Dol jatra is festival of colours, people in india and around the world who participate in this festival use colours , gulal (Abir) , water , pichkari (a device that can help spray water and can be carried in hand)

People eat sweet dishes, there are specially cooked delicious recipes and people enjoy a lot during the festival.

Nowadays we also come across chemical based colours in market, there colours can be very harmful for skin, eyes and health in general , it is best to use organic colours that are safe, easy to wash and not harmful.

Quick points on the colours people use in holi and the dangers of chemical colours

Copper sulphate in green colours is dangerous for eyes and can even cause temporary, partial or complete blindness

Chromium iodide in purple colours can cause bronchial asthma and several other allergies

Aluminum bromide mostly used for manufacturing of silver colours is carcinogenic

Lead oxide in blackish colours can impact renal health

Mercury sulphite in colour red can be responsible for skin cancer and disease like retardation of mind, impaired vision and and even partial or complete paralysis

The glitter in colours is added by powdered glass

The oil or paste colours may contain low quality oils that may cause skin infections and even blindness

Water filled balloons may cause injuries to eye, nose etc

Natural colours can be obtained from tea, tea boiled in water, turmeric (haldi), mehendi, sandalwood, fruit peels, flower petal etc. Simple preparations by boiling, grinding, drying etc can be used to prepare such colours. Organic colours are also available in market as chemicals based colours.

• ByDesun Hospital