KATHMANDU: Fagu Poornima or Holi, the festival of colours, is being observed with much fanfare in hilly locations, including the funding city, today as well as tomorrow in the Terai region.
The festival, additionally called the Springtime event, notes the arrival of springtime and also the harvest period. The first day of the event is called Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan, and also the second-day, Dhuleti or Holi.
Holika Dahan, the fatality of Holika, the icon of the accomplishment of good over bad, is marked by lighting a bonfire and also performing a special Puja to shed evil spirits.
We also need to be alert regarding which colours we are relating to others throughout the Holi festival. A group of medical professionals has advised individuals against the level of deterioration in shades, sugary foods, and other food sold in the markets before the event.
Doctors at Paras Hospitals Gurugram suggested that people ought to reconsider before acquiring such items as they could be harmful to health and wellness and called for immediate medical focus when the cases of COVID-19 are again rising in the city.
According to a report from the Society of Air Pollution as well as Environmental Conservation Scientists (SPECIFICATIONS), research laboratory examinations have revealed that there are a lot of damaging metals in these Holi colours, including mercury sulphite in a red shade, copper sulphate in the environment-friendly tint, chromium iodide in a purple hue, aluminium bromide in the silver shade and lead oxide in black shade.
Consequently, physicians suggested that can use natural shades or blossoms this time around as well as keep the enthusiasm of the festival intact. Discussing the hazardous results of artificial dyes on one’s health and wellness, Dr Ekta Nigam, Senior Citizen Expert– Dermatology and Cosmetology, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram, claimed, “These colours are toxic and also can cause skin cancer, Minamata, eye allergic reaction, short-term loss of sight, bronchial asthma, allergic reactions, renal failure, and also learning impairment.
Many shades that we get in the marketplace are metal oxide or industrial dyes.
When cleaned, these colours can contaminate dirt and also water systems besides hurting our body.” Also, the eye doctor asked to comply with additional safety measures for the eyes because the colour particles can be harmful and can result in loss of sight.
“As the synthetic Holi colours have heavy metals like lead and also if it obtains put in your eyes, it may trigger red-eye, chemical burn or corneal abrasion. The environment-friendly shade utilized during Holi can cause a short-lived loss of sight.
As a result, it’s vital that you ought to secure your eyes by using sunglasses. Make certain you have not put on the contact lenses since if the shade gets trapped in them, it can trigger infection. Avoid massaging your eyes if you have specific inflammation in eyes, instead splash cold water in them,” said Dr Rishi Bhardwaj, head of the ophthalmology department, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram.
