Kathmandu, March 20:

Holi is linked with colours and merrymaking but the quality of colours used by revellers may be harmful for health.

“Most of the colours available in the market contain chemicals used as dyes for industrial purposes like dyeing textiles and are not suitable at all for use on human bodies, but people use them during the Holi,” Dr Manohar Gupta, chief of the General Practice and Emergency Medicine Department at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital said.

The synthetic colours used during Holi often contain lead oxide, engine oil, diesel, chromium iodine and copper sulphate, which cause skin, chest and eye problems, he said.

Adulteration in the colour is very likely and that is unsafe, he said adding that many people use burnt mobil and boot polish to smear it on people’s faces, which cause allergies and rashes.

Crystal colours that are frequently used during Holi like violet and green are harsh on skin and are likely to cause skin injury.

“If the colours get into nose they could cause infection in the chest and are dangerous for our eyes as well,” he said.

“Malpractice or ignorance in the use of colour is deteriorating the charm of the whole festival. Consumers should not buy any colour which has a label ‘for industrial use only’. We can always use herbal colours which are safer for our health,” Dr Manohar Gupta added.