After the dull and dreary days of winter, spring comes with all its glory. This season is marked by the vibrant colors of different flowers, and an amazing atmosphere, which is almost impossible to experience in winter. At this time, the countryside is almost flooded with the colors of all the beautiful flowers. Thus, the festival of Holi, is a celebration to welcome this reawakening of mother nature. It is a festival of colors, to cherish the natural beauty of the season Spring.
Reason Behind the Unveiling of Chemical Based Colors:
At first the colors, used in Holi, were all natural colors. They were made out of the elements of nature, like flowers, trees etc. But due to the development of industrial sectors, trees, especially from urban areas started disappearing in large number. So, this incident of industrialization has become the main reason for the replacement of natural and organic colors by chemical based colors. The artificial colors, which are used for playing Holi, nowadays, are highly structured polymers and these colors are completely impossible to decompose biologically. In-spite of having a lot of fun, on this festival of colors, we should also know that there are some harmful effects of Holi too.
Effects of Holi Colors:
People are going to a doctor, after the festival of colors, is quite a common thing in our country. As, the quality of colors, available in the market are deteriorating day by day, the number of people suffering from skin related issues, after Holi, are increasing in number. Synthetic Holi colors contain substances like mica, acids, alkalies, piece of glass, etc. Thus, it gives rise to skin and other diseases. The harmful diseases or infections, which may affect you, due to the chemical based colors of Holi are:
- These chemical based colors causes allergy in eyes, which can become the reason for blindness, later.
- Chlorine iodine, which can be found in purple color, causes asthma.
- These colors, may also become the reason for skin cancer.
- The chemicals in the color, directly attacks the hair and results in dry and brittle hair.
- Harsh chemicals, which are used in the making of these Holi colors can cause some serious itching or rashes which can lead to eczema.
- Mercury Sulphite, found in red color, may become the reason for impaired vision, or even paralysis. If the mercury in the color passes through a baby’s body, it can prevent the growth of that baby.
- The color black, has a good amount of lead oxide in it, which may cause renal failures or learning disability.
- We like everything, which has a shine in it. So, when we select the colors for Holi, we also tend to make a choice of a color, which has a shine. But, one thing, we should always keep in mind that, these type of shiny colors, may contain some powdered glass in it.
- Toxins, present in the colors of Holi, not only causes health problems but also damages the environment, even after they are washed off properly.
- Copper, which exists in dry colors, directly affects the respiratory system and also leaves long-term liver and kidney problems.
- The existing cadmium in the chemical based colors, is also the reason behind the disease named Ita Ita, related to bones.
Remedies:
The traditional Holi, which is considered as a trademark of Indian culture, previously was a festival of colors, which was only played by natural or organic colors. But nowadays, the scenario has changed completely, and chemical based colors has replaced all the organic colors.
But it doesn’t mean that, we should stop playing Holi, or become a part of this celebration. In order to stay safe from the harmful effects of these Holi colors, which has chemicals in it, we need to use organic or natural colors, which are also available in the market. But before buying those colors, make sure to check the labels properly.
You can also make your own Holi colors at home. By mixing turmeric powder with chick pea flour, you can get the yellow color. Or in order to get orange or red color, you can even dry up the henna leaves.
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