As the vibrant festival of Holi approaches, hearts fill with anticipation for the joyous celebrations ahead.
Holi, the Festival of Colours, is where friends and family come together to splash each other with hues of happiness and love. However, we hardly ever prioritise safety, especially when it comes to the colours we use. Is it our lack of awareness or just simple neglect towards the potential dangers of non-branded dry colours, and hazards that have creeped in this beautiful festival of Colours!
Holi embodies the essence of colours, joy, and merriment. Yet, it’s paradoxical that a festival honuoring nature’s vibrant beauty now witnesses the use of toxic, hazardous chemical colours.
Traditionally, Gulal — the quintessential Holi colour — was crafted from dried spring flowers, herbs, and fruit peels. Turmeric powder lent its golden hue, hibiscus flowers provided red, and heena offered green.
Today, these natural hues have been overshadowed by industrial dyes — brighter and cheaper alternatives. Regrettably, many darker shades available in the market are industrial chemicals. So, as you gleefully adorn your friend’s face with pakka rang, you’re inadvertently smearing lead oxide, cobalt nitrate, indigo, zinc salts, copper sulfate, malachite, mercury sulfate, and aluminum bromide — ingredients for black, blue, green, red, and silver Holi colors. Occasionally, additives like mica dust and glass powder are included for an extra shimmer.
What happens when I play with Pakka Colours?
While the allure of brightly colored powders may be tempting, non-branded dry colors pose significant risks to health. These colors often contain toxic substances such as lead, mercury, and asbestos, which can cause severe injuries to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
The use of synthetic Holi colors poses a significant threat to our skin and hair, ranging from mild irritations like itching, rashes, and allergies to more serious health concerns such as poisoning, vision impairment, and asthma. Individuals with dry skin or pre-existing skin conditions should exercise extra caution, as these chemicals can exacerbate issues like bacterial infections, acne, and eczema.
Exposure to UV rays from the sun can trigger a phototoxic reaction when these toxic colors come in contact with the skin, resulting in blistering and redness. Compounds like Rhodamine B, mercury sulphide, and chromium iodine found in pakka colors are exceptionally harsh, especially when mixed with oil or other liquids during Holi festivities. Their prolonged contact with the skin may even increase the risk of skin cancer.
In the market, three primary forms of Holi colors are available: paste, dry colors, and wet colors. Paste colors, often metallic with silver, black, or white glitter, contain toxic elements. Black colors made from lead oxide, silver colors from silver bromide, and blue shades from persuasion blue can lead to renal failure, carcinogenic effects, and contact dermatitis, respectively.
Dry colors like gulal, a blend of colorants and filler base, harbor heavy metals and asbestos or silica, disrupting metabolic functions and impairing vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs. Lead, chromium, and cadmium found in these colors pose risks like learning disabilities in children, bronchial asthma, and fragile bones, respectively.
Wet colors, notably Gentian violet, may seem harmless with their bright hues, but they are crafted from hazardous chemicals. Exposure to Gentian violet can result in severe skin conditions and eye problems, despite its popularity among Holi enthusiasts.
Prolonged exposure to these harmful chemicals can result in long-term health complications, including eye infections, respiratory disorders, and skin allergies. By choosing non-branded dry colors, we jeopardize not only our well-being but also the well-being of those around us.
How can I shield myself from these detrimental effects? It’s prudent to prioritise safety measures, especially during Holi festivities. Consider the following precautions to safeguard your skin and hair:
- Opt for Safe colours, readily available in the market. Not only is it a delightful activity, but it also ensures a clean and safe Holi experience for the entire family
- If exposure to chemical colors is inevitable, take proactive steps to mitigate potential damage:
- Before venturing out to play Holi, apply coconut oil or olive oil to your hair and body to prevent color from adhering to your skin or hair.
- Minimize skin exposure by wearing fully-covered clothing.
- Apply nail enamel to avoid color seepage into the nail bed and coat your hands with petroleum jelly for added protection.
- Wear protective eyewear to shield your eyes from color splashes and rinse them thoroughly with clean, cold water if irritation occurs.
After concluding your Holi revelries, adopt the following post-play practices:
- Stand under running water for at least 10 minutes to allow excessive color to drain away.
- Refrain from aggressive scrubbing when removing colors; instead, use a gentle soap and shampoo to wash off the gulal. Persistent colors will gradually fade over time.
- Remember to moisturize your skin after bathing to replenish lost moisture and soothe any lingering irritation.
By adhering to these precautions, you can revel in the vibrant spirit of Holi while safeguarding your well-being.
As we prepare to immerse ourselves in the kaleidoscope of colours that is Holi, let’s remember the importance of safety above all else. By choosing Safe colors and embracing safe practices, we can ensure that our Holi celebrations are filled with joy, love, and most importantly, good health. Here’s to a vibrant and safe Holi for all!
Written in the interest of Public Safety
Brought to you by: Safe Water Based Colour Sprays by Rang Barse