Harmful Effects Of Chemical Based Colors In Holi

Holi is a festival of colors and is celebrated with much fervor by throwing colors on each other. The colors during this festival signify the positivity around us and our love for others. Year’s back this festival of colors was celebrated with natural colors that were either home-made or bought from the market. The red color was taken from the hibiscus, yellow from the turmeric powder and green from the henna powder. Hence, holi was a safe festival.

However, today there are various types of harmful colors available in the market. These consist of toxic chemicals and are in vogue among the people. The chemicals added in these are injurious. The chemical colors comprise solvents like oxidized metal, aromatic compounds, lead, benzene, and tetrathyline. The dark ones like black, green, red and blue contain copper sulphate, lead oxide and mercury sulphate in a high extent. The harmful solvents in these can lead to skin or eye-related problems such as skin cancer, rashes, allergy, etc.

Effects of chemical:

The high toxic chemicals come in contact with the skin and could enter the body through pores.  That could lead to various skin diseases.

• Allergy that could result in redness of eyes or blindness.
• The chlorine iodine in color causes asthma
• Can lead to skin cancer.
• Causes dermatitis due to itching and rashes.
• The black color consists of lead oxide, excess intake of it through air affects the
• Affects the hair. The color on getting dried results into brittle and dry hair.
• The artificial colors are complicated to wash out and it retains for many days over the skin.
• The chemicals attack the nervous system, which causes mental retardation, impaired vision, and paralysis.

The chemical is made by adding harmful substances. People also use chemical dyes, engine oil, and grease to play Holi. The compound is coming in contact with the skin results in several skin related problems. The reaction could be immediate or after some hours. Also, the hard detergents, soaps or kerosene are used to remove the colors of the skin.