Holi is one of the most exciting festivals of the year and the colours were traditionally made with flowers which bloomed during the season, spices, herbs and more.  As per the tradition, playing with these colours usually nourishes the skin and hair and thus it’s not at all harmful in any manner. Unfortunately, now colours are available in every small shop which is made of chemicals and dyes. Despite being attractive, these colours are extremely dangerous for your health because these colours contain oxidized metals, industrial dyes, engine oil, diesel, acids, mica, glass powder and alkalis. Commonly reported reactions post Holi are itchiness, flaking, redness, rashes, blisters, acne, eczema and many more are seen.

First, we’ll discuss about the harmful effects of the colours we use during Holi. The green colour is made from copper sulphate and it can cause eye allergies and even temporary blindness. Silver colour is usually a carcinogen and it is prepared from aluminium bromide. Red colour is the product of mercury sulphite and which can be associated with mental retardation, paralysis and impaired vision. Lead oxide is used for preparing black colour and as we all know, it is poisonous from brain to rest of the body. Last but not the least, purple colour made from chromium iodide causes bronchial asthma and allergies.

"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. Thus, several bacteria have been found to decolourise, transform and completely mineralise coloured soil and water in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions," says the report which was conducted by Joy Joseph Gardner, University of Rajasthan and Deepanjali Lal, Jaipur National University.

This Holi, say no to chemical-based colours and have a happy and safe Holi 2018. Here are some tips to keep in mind before you celebrate Holi this year.

1. Play safe. Don’t be exuberant and do not make others be rude to you.

2. Use red colours which looks good and can be removed easily as well. Other colours like gaudy purple, green, tallow, silver are harmful and must be avoided.

3. Oil you hair well and make sure your face is well creamed before and after the celebrations.

4. Be careful of your eyes, and make sure that powders don’t get inside your eyes.

5. Wear your least favoured clothes, so that you don’t have to wash them any soon.

6. Keep your eyes and lips tightly shut if you are attacked from someone on your face.

7. Avoid running on wet floors, so that you don’t slip and injure yourself.

8. Don’t drive if you are high on alcohol or bhang.

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