This Holi stay away from these colours

Stay away from silver and red colours in Holi celebrations as they contain highly toxic substances, which could lead to cancer, dermatologists have suggested.

"One should stay away from silver and red colours because they are more toxic. These colours are carcinogenic. They are metal oxides," Dr R K Joshi, consultant dermatologist in Apollo Indraprastha Hospital, told PTI.

"These colours could enter the body through nails, mouth and even nostrils," he said, adding that those who have sensitive skin should go for herbal or flower-derived colours, rather than the harsh metallic ones.

"The toxins and chemicals present in synthetic colours today can cause a host of problems. They not only contain oxidised metals, but industrial dyes too. These colours are harmful for the eyes and hair too," he said.

Echoing the advice of Joshi, Dr Sachin Dhawan, a senior dermatologist in Paras Hospital in Gurgaon, said most people are not aware about the toxicity of these colours as it is not tested.

"There is no certification mechanism for manufacturing these colours and people are not aware about their toxic effects," he said.

While silver contains Aluminium Bromide, which is carcinogenic, red has mercury sulphate. Both these colours are highly toxic and can cause skin cancer, Dhawan said.

"Dry colours or gulal have two components – a colourant and a base, made of either asbestos or silica, both of which are capable of causing health hazards. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and gets built up in the body tissue. It can result in cancer even in micro-quantities,"

he said.

Dhawan said Holi colours also contain organic compounds such as oxides, metal, glass particles, powdered mica.

"The major constituent of the colourants in gulals are mostly heavy metals that are known systemic toxins," he said, citing example of some colours that contain cadmium (blue), which has been classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Both the doctors said the colours could also cause skin disorders like discolouration, contract dermatitis, abrasion, irritation, itching, dryness and chapped skin.

The dermatologist said that sometimes people use nail paint remover to remove the colours, as a result of which organic compounds get absorbed by the skin, causing maximum damage.

The doctors have a word of advice, saying that before playing Holi, people should apply oil on their hair and cream on their body and wear clothes that cover maximum part of their body. If irritation occurs wash off the colour immediately.

They said people should use moisturiser soap, and should not use kerosene, petrol or spirits to remove stains as they further dry the skin.

"For people who suffer from asthma and allergic reactions, Holi is time to be extra careful. They should avoid gaudy purple, yellow and orange," Dhawan said, adding that to rejuvenate the skin after washing off, people should use soybean flour or besan with milk.

"A mixture of sea salt, glycerin and few drops of aroma oil have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effect and can take care of the bad effects of chemical colours," he said.