PRAYAGRAJ: As the sale of substandard and artificial colours continues in Prayagraj, dermatologists have asked revelers to use natural colours on the occasion of Holi.
Health department officials on Sunday launched an awareness campaign in the city and urged appealed people to avoid use of chemical-based colours.
Dr Shakti Basu, a dermatologist at Colvin Hospital, said: “Substandard colours may harm skin and eyes. Some colours are sold in the form of paste mixed with toxic compounds and substandard oil. Such colours may cause skin allergy and temporary blindness.”
District administration has failed to put effective curbs on the sale of artificial colours which are being sold in makeshift shops in Chowk, Rajapur, Sulemsarai, Bahadurganj, Johnstonganj, Leader road and Kothaparcha.
Last year, 110 patients were brought to different hospitals who complained of rashes, itching and skin problems due to Holi colours.
“If one is planning to play Holi with wet colours, one may apply body lotion or coconut oil all over the body, especially face, before going out,” he said.
According to eye specialists, arbitrary use of adulterated and synthetic colours can increase chances of injuries to eyes. Even ‘gulal’ and ‘abeer’ are known to have traces of asbestos which may cause corneal ulcer.
Additional chief medical officer Dr Anil Kumar said natural colours should be promoted and people should avoid unsafe colours.
Most of the colours sold at makeshift shops are oxidized metals or industrial dyes mixed with substandard oil.
Lead oxide (black), copper sulphate (green), aluminium bromide (silver) and mercury sulphite (red) are mostly used in colours which may cause allergy, temporary blindness, renal failure, skin cancer and paralysis.
“We are carrying out surprise raids in markets to tighten the noose around vendors selling substandard or artificial colours,” a senior district official said.
Health department officials on Sunday launched an awareness campaign in the city and urged appealed people to avoid use of chemical-based colours.
Dr Shakti Basu, a dermatologist at Colvin Hospital, said: “Substandard colours may harm skin and eyes. Some colours are sold in the form of paste mixed with toxic compounds and substandard oil. Such colours may cause skin allergy and temporary blindness.”
District administration has failed to put effective curbs on the sale of artificial colours which are being sold in makeshift shops in Chowk, Rajapur, Sulemsarai, Bahadurganj, Johnstonganj, Leader road and Kothaparcha.
Last year, 110 patients were brought to different hospitals who complained of rashes, itching and skin problems due to Holi colours.
“If one is planning to play Holi with wet colours, one may apply body lotion or coconut oil all over the body, especially face, before going out,” he said.
According to eye specialists, arbitrary use of adulterated and synthetic colours can increase chances of injuries to eyes. Even ‘gulal’ and ‘abeer’ are known to have traces of asbestos which may cause corneal ulcer.
Additional chief medical officer Dr Anil Kumar said natural colours should be promoted and people should avoid unsafe colours.
Most of the colours sold at makeshift shops are oxidized metals or industrial dyes mixed with substandard oil.
Lead oxide (black), copper sulphate (green), aluminium bromide (silver) and mercury sulphite (red) are mostly used in colours which may cause allergy, temporary blindness, renal failure, skin cancer and paralysis.
“We are carrying out surprise raids in markets to tighten the noose around vendors selling substandard or artificial colours,” a senior district official said.
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