Panel to set up rules for safer Holi colours

The government probe committee set up to investigate the case of colour poisoning on Thursday will be framing regulations to make Holi colours safer. Sayli Udas Mankikar reports.

The government probe committee set up to investigate the case of colour poisoning on Thursday will be framing regulations to make Holi colours safer.

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The committee, to be headed by medical education secretary IS Chahal, will also look at implementation of laws on storage and disposal of hazardous substances.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan who visited patients at Sion hospital on Friday said, “Initial reports show that the colour was a dye that got absorbed into the skin affecting the hemoglobin levels and causing breathlessness. Now, the situation is in control. But we have look into the issue with greater depth.”

Health minister Suresh Shetty said the incident took place due to toxic substances lying unattended. “The issue is related to the disposal of toxic waste. The laws needs to be strengthened,” he said.

A government official, who is part of the committee, said they would be setting up regulations. “The manufacturing of Holi colours is part of an informal sector, which does not face strict monitoring. These colours come in direct contact with the body. The rules need to be stringent,” he said.

The regulations will look at the colour formulations, whether they should have chemicals, how they should be manufactured and sold.