Gulaal – as the dry colors are typically\u00a0called, have been declared toxic for many years. And yet,\u00a0we still use it widely during Holi.<\/span><\/p>\nScientifically gulal is typically a mix of two main components – a base that is made out of silica or asbestos. And the colorant, typically a heavy metal which is\u00a0usually heavily toxic. Gulaal is a very fine powder which can go straight into your lungs and stay there to cause severe infections and respiratory distress.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a list of known side effects of Holi colors –<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Asthma<\/strong>: Smearing yourself with Gulaal for several hours in a day\u00a0can result in asthma. Gulaal is also a prime trigger for respiratory distress in folks who are already diagnosed with asthma. For several days after Holi, the powder still hangs in the air making it very difficult for asthmatic patients.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Eye infections<\/strong>: The fine powder will easily irritate the delicate top layer of your eye and could even leave permanent damages. <\/span><\/li>\n
- Rashes<\/strong>: Holi colors are easily lodged in the pores of your skin and scalp, causing rashes. It might take a few days and a thorough scrubbing to get them out. Keep in mind that some rashes leave nasty scars.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Here\u2019s a detailed list of what metal makes up each color.<\/p>\n
\n- Red – Mercury sulphate<\/span><\/li>\n
- Black – Lead oxide<\/span><\/li>\n
- Green – copper sulphate<\/span><\/li>\n
- Silver – Aluminium bromide<\/span><\/li>\n
- Purple – Chromium iodide<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Similar to Gulaal, the wet colors are filled with harmful chemicals. Random use of these wet colors causes a lot of wastage of water too!<\/p>\n
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