The Hindu : `Most Holi colours have oxidised metals'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 07, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Most Holi colours have oxidised metals'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 6 .It is a common refrain that Holi colours often adulterated with lead oxide, engine oil, diesel, chromium iodine, copper sulphate, and rhodamineb - all harmful to the human body. But if colours cause skin irritation or even an injury to the eye or ear, there is virtually no forum that can help, except maybe hospitals.

Yes, the Capital has no regulatory body licensing or standardising the chemical colours being sold in the city for Holi. Even those sold in packets and which should be ideally covered under the `Package Products Act' (PPA) hardly ever follow the guidelines laid down by the same.

The PPA rule demands that the content, price and the name and address of the manufacturer be mentioned on the cover of the packet -- a rule which no manufacturer or salesman is even aware of.

"The country has no rules or monitoring agencies that can help customers get value for their money or even ensure that they get what they are paying for. Worse, in case of any injury, there is absolutely no mechanism to trace the manufacturer of the product. Most consumers are not even aware what they are buying most of the time. The herbal colour market too requires to be streamlined so that consumer is not harmed in any way,'' said the editor of the Monthly Index of Medical Specialities (MIMS) C.M. Gulati.

"In case the customer has a complaint there is little chance of his getting redressal in any forum. As for the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), it covers only edible food stuff and offers no protection to customers who suffer because of adulterated Holi colours.''

"Most Holi colours available in the market contain oxidized metals or industrial dyes mixed with engine oil which are dangerous for the skin. The black colour, for instance, comes from lead oxide, green from copper sulphate, silver from aluminium bromide and red from mercury sulphite. These chemicals can cause allergy, temporary blindness, renal failure, skin cancer, and even paralysis. It can even prove fatal. The dangerous side effects of Holi colours can ruin the spirit of the festival,'' explained the president of the Delhi Medical Association, Anil Bansal.

As regards lack of information on the packets, Dr. Bansal said: "Each year physicians have a rush of patients who come with adverse reactions to some substance. Also, the lack of a regulatory body adds to the problems faced by customers. We advise the use of herbal colours that seem to be safer than the chemical colours.''

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