happy spring! happy holi!

[Guest guest]

PATNA: Now that the festival of colours has finally arrived , it is

time again to hunt for the right colours that do not harm your skin

and eyes.

 

Shops in town are already flooded with both synthetic and herbal

variety of colours and people have already started purchasing them.

For it is the colours which are the most joyous part of celebration,

which add life and vitality to the festival.

 

Although pegged at almost double the price of synthetic colours, the

sale of herbal colours have picked up. Available in a relatively less

range of colours — primarily red, orange and green — almost all

leading shops in the markets are flooded with herbal Holi colours.

 

While synthetic " gulal " and colours are sold at Rs 125 per kg, herbal

gulals range anything between Rs 200 and Rs 350 a kg. " Most people

still prefer to buy synthetic colours as they have a wide range and

are comparatively cheaper, " said a shopkeeper.

 

But here is a word of caution for all Holi revellers. As the festival

has been commercialised, exotic colours are now being sold in a

highly dangerous form in which toxic chemicals are used making them

extremely dangerous to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract. Toxic

colours can also cause renal disorder and some are even carcinogenic.

 

According to physician Dr PK Verma, both chemical colours and Gulal

are dangerous for our skin, body and health in general. Eye

specialist Dr Sunil Singh says that all colours which have toxic

chemicals are very dangerous for the eyes.

 

Besides, containing harmful chemicals, the colours are often also

mixed with sand, mica, glass, talc and starch. These irritants can

cause irritation and if rubbed vigorously can cause removal of the

sensitive layers of cornea. Glass powder can even cause laceration

and conjunctivitis.

 

Even the bright pink " gulal " contains lead chromate which can cause

eye irritation. Blue has cobalt nitrate that

can cause skin allergies and yellow, which is matinal yellow, causes

photosensitivity.

 

Holi can be fun by using environment-friendly natural colours. These

are not only cheap but can also be made easily at home.

 

This Holi explores the fascinating world of natural colours and

experiment with different flowers, fruits and vegetables (like black

grapes, dried fruits of amla/gooseberry), leaves (eucalyptus), plants

(arandi/castor), red sandalwood, mehendi powder etc. Yellow powder

could be from good old turmeric, perhaps mixed with gram flour or

from marigold flowers.

 

By using eco-friendly natural colours we can not only save our skins

but will also help to save our environment and conserve our

biodiversity.

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Beware_of_toxic_colours_this_Holi/

articleshow/2886229.cms

 

Caldecott

todd

www.toddcaldecott.com