Beware of coloured danger!

COLOURS ARE not just fun to play with this holi. With every colour, there is toxicity attached. So beware! Green is the most toxic colour in the Holi spectrum, as samples collected from markets tested positive for ?malachite green? an industrial dye having carcinogenic properties, says a report from HOPE, an organization working for public awareness on social issues. HOPE has Dr G Chaudhari of SGPGIMS and other medical experts of the country working with it.

COLOURS ARE not just fun to play with this holi. With every colour, there is toxicity attached. So beware!

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Green is the most toxic colour in the Holi spectrum, as samples collected from markets tested positive for ‘malachite green’ an industrial dye having carcinogenic properties, says a report from HOPE, an organization working for public awareness on social issues. HOPE has Dr G Chaudhari of SGPGIMS and other medical experts of the country working with it.

Black has lead oxide, which can cause major skin problems while purple has been found contaminated with chromium iodide which causes bronchial asthma and allergies. Silver, has aluminium bromide which is carcinogenic and red colour can cause skin cancer, mental retardation, paralysis and impaired vision, says the survey report.

As per experts one has to look for better options and one option is to prepare the colour at home. There is simple formula to it.

A spoon of powdered Haldi (turmeric) in a cup of flour, talcum powder can be used for dry yellow colour, which is also great for the skin. Haldi powder can also be mixed in water to make a wet colour.

Henna or mehandi gives a lovely green colour, which is also very safe and Rose petals can be dried and ground to prepare gulal. Chopped pieces of beet root soaked in water for a few hours give a wonderful magenta colour.