Science, Art, Litt, Science based Art & Science Communication

Don't use synthetic colours for playing during Holi

Holi! We are celebrating it again this month. People love the festival of colours, fun and frolic. Splashing the colours over one another, smearing them with colours and playing with powders of rainbow hues. Everybody around enjoys it - except me!

I don't like splashing colours at all! There is a reason for that.

In our childhood our parents never allowed us to buy synthetic colours. This was the recipe my father gave us to prepare colours:

Use turmeric for yellow colour. Mix turmeric and lime to get red. Use Tulsi and Curry leaves for green. Indigo for blue. Pomegranate or beetroot for pink.

My sister and I used to sulk. Because our friends teased and ridiculed us.

Now I know why my parents were right and my friends were wrong. Yes, why?

Because Scientists say that Holi is an environmental hazard! The artificial colours that are used are highly structured polymers and are impossible to decompose biologically. These colours are prepared from harmful substances such as acids, mica, glass powder and alkalis. They are not readily degradable under natural conditions and are typically not removed from waste water by conventional waste water treatments.

These colours are also capable of causing serious skin complications and allergies. Harsh artificial chemicals used in the colours can cause itching, redness, irritation, bumps and rashes which can lead to eczema or dermatitis. Dry skin leaves a lot of scope for damage from these harmful chemicals as the skin layer allows the colour to penetrate easily. Those with a history of eczema or atopic dermatitis run greater risk as they develop allergic contact dermatitis more readily which manifest in itching, rashes and swelling. Colours are prepared on a small scale and lack any kind of quality checks in India. Colours which include dye are openly sold in the market without any information regarding their chemical nature, purity or toxicity.

Even if a colour is labelled as ‘natural’ or ‘organic’, you need to be very careful about where you buy from. This is because the production of Holi colours is not regulated in India. So there is no way of being certain that all the ingredients are listed out truthfully or that the claim is honest. If you buy from a reputed brand that has a reputation to uphold, you might get a better quality product.

‘Organic’ or ‘natural’ labels can also be misleading because they may refer to only part of the colour. For example, if dry colours or gulals are made with herbal or vegetable dyes, the base of the colour might still be harmful. Some powder bases are made with silica, which can dry the skin or even asbestos, which causes cancer.

Another example is the use of henna (mehndi) in colours. Although natural henna is considered safe, black henna that contains paraphenylendiamine (PPD) may cause allergic reactions. But the use of either might prompt the producer to label their colour as ‘natural’.

Here is a list of common colours with the harmful substance they contain and the health effects that substance might have on you :

Mercury sulphite (used to get Red colour): Skin cancer, impaired vision, paralysis (Minamata disease (mental retardation, paralysis, impaired vision)

Mercury can pass through the placenta to a growing baby and affect fetal growth, the nervous system, cause disability and in extreme cases even prove fatal.

Lead oxide (Black): Renal failure, skin irritation and learning disabilities in children.

Lead crosses the placenta and is transferred to the unborn baby. It can cause damage to the nervous system. It also increases the risk of miscarriage, having a low birth weight baby or premature birth.

Prussian blue (Blue): Skin irritation or dermatitis.

Copper Sulphate and malachite green (Green): Eye allergy, temporary blindness, or watering, soreness and redness of the eyes.

It can pass through the placenta. It can affect fetal growth and cause damage to the skeletal system and in some cases can be fatal.

Chromium iodide (Purple): Bronchial asthma, allergies

Aluminium Bromide (Silver): Carcinogenic i.e., cancer-causing

Gentian violet (Purple): Skin allergies or discolouration, dermatitis and irritation of mucous membrane. In the concentrated form, it can cause more serious eye problems like keratoconjunctivitis and dark purple staining of the cornea.

Shiny Colours are a result of powdered glass being added to the colours. Besides, many water colours have an alkaline base capable of causing severe injuries. Colours in the form of pastes have toxic compounds mixed in a base of engine oil or other inferior quality oil, capable of causing skin allergy, temporary blindness.

Further, when washed, these colours containing toxic chemicals enter the river, thereby soil and water pollution.

When a jet of water is released on people with force, they can cause injuries to delicate organs like eyes.Pregnant women and babies get effected more.

Other harmful substances found in Holi colours and their health effects are:

Chromium: Can cause bronchial asthma, allergies.
Nickel: Can cause dermatitis pneumonia.
Cadmium: Can cause weak and brittle bones (Itai Itai disease).
Zinc: Can lead to fever.
Iron: Can cause skin sensitivity to light.
Mica (abeer): This is a shiny powder used to give colours a metallic look. It can cause skin allergies and irritation.

Some colours contain oxidized metals and permanent chemical dyes. These colours do not wash off and stay on the skin for several days if they are allowed to dry. They are often referred to as permanent colours. These colours may also include ingredients like engine oils, grease, chemicals and solvents.

If you are forced to play Holi, apply oil, petroleum jelly or moisturiser all over your body before you play. This might help reduce the absorption of colour to some extent. It will also make it easier to wash the colour off afterwards. Also, apply oil to your hair so that residue from the dyes does not get stuck to your hair and scalp.

After playing with colours, do not use detergent, kerosene, spirit, nail polish remover, alcohol or acetone to try and remove them, especially on babies. These are strong irritants and tend to break down the protective skin barrier. Use normal bathing soap and moisturise the skin well after. Consult your doctor if you see any rashes or experience any skin irritation.

Some people use powder colours . Some of the respiratory allergies from these powders :

Rhinitis: This allergy induces inflammatory responses in the nasal membrane. Some of its symptoms include runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion.

Pneumonitis: Pneumonitis happens when colours with chemical agents are inhaled. Symptoms include chest congestion, difficulty in breathing and fatigue.

Asthma: Commercially sold colours have tiny PM 10 particles that can damage the airway. People may experience difficulty in breathing and tend to run out of breath, even after any short physical activity.

You have to use a mask when playing with powders.

Holi- Festival of colours