There is no Holi without colors. While the festival of colour – Holi brings an opportunity to connect, rejoice and rejuvenate, not being careful while playing colors can invite major health trouble from allergies to respiratory infections.
However, there are many problems with dyes made from chemicals. Using them can cause health problems. Holi colors made with chemicals have side effects. Chemicals, toxic metal based pigments, mica, glass granules, asbestos are some of the ingredients used to make Holi Colors. We need to know how these substances harm our health.
Dry colors fall very slowly when thrown into the air. This indicates the presence of heavy metals, contaminants in high concentrations of particles less than 10 microns. Pollutants in colors enter the mouth and respiratory tract and cause respiratory problems. These particles are too small to be filtered. So they are inhaled into the lungs. Once they get into the lungs, they stay there and cause inflammation and other health problems.
As the colors contain particulate chemicals, people with low immunity or asthma should not use Holi colors. Asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory conditions are aggravated by these chemicals, resulting in wheezing, coughing, and mucus production.
It is not good to play Holi with water-guns or water balloons. Because water can enter the ear and cause itchiness, earache and blockages.