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<keyword id="6355460" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holi">Holi</keyword> or the Festival of Colours is just around the corner, all set to usher in a colourful spring after the austere winter and promising to bring the colour of joy and passion in our humdrum life. But before you start preparing for the traditional colour splash, have you got all the ingredients to make it a green Holi? <keyword id="2132784" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holi-colours-industry">Holi colours industry</keyword> was pegged to <keyword id="30450" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Touch">touch</keyword> Rs 4,500 crore in 2012-13, according to an analysis by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (<keyword id="6355988" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Assocham">Assocham</keyword>), and the numbers are sure to go up this year. Interestingly, the <keyword id="47445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-market">Indian market</keyword> has also witnessed a growing demand for hazard-free herbal colours. The market for <keyword id="2132783" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Herbal-dyes">herbal dyes</keyword> is estimated to be growing at 30-40% annually although the products are a bit expensive. 
 While a chemical-free colour plunge is the most desirable and eco-friendly way of celebrating Holi, you must walk through the market once to find out what’s in store. Broadly speaking, you will find three types of <keyword id="586078" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="chemical-colours">chemical colours</keyword> here – powders, pastes and wets or liquid ones. Most of these are chemical/synthetic dyes, containing substances such as <keyword id="2132786" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Oxides">oxides</keyword>, <keyword id="6395221" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="heavy-metals">heavy metals</keyword> (lead, chromium, nickel and cadmium), <keyword id="1322867" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="acids">acids</keyword>, <keyword id="2132787" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Alkalis">alkalis</keyword>, <keyword id="2132789" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Powdered-glass">powdered glass</keyword> and <keyword id="2132788" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mica-dust">mica dust</keyword> – all supremely harmful for your skin, hair and eyes. 
 The powders mostly have <keyword id="2132790" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Toxic-colorants">toxic colorants</keyword> and an asbestos/silica base; the pastes have a mix of toxic compounds and inferior quality oils and water colours include strong alkalis. No wonder we get itches, rashes, redness and swelling after a thorough colour soak, a colour-filled balloon attack or a terrific <keyword id="2132798" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pitchkari">pitchkari</keyword> fight. Also, darker shades like red, blue and green have high levels of chemicals, metal oxides and industrial dyes, which are used to provide thick texture. Shiny colours can also contain powdered glass. 
 
10 chemical colours that can harm you 
If you revel in rainbow hues and mostly buy synthetic colours, here’s a harm list for your ready reference. 
 
1. Abeer/Gulal: Popularly believed to be the least harmful of all chemical colours, this one contains a whole lot of mica dust that can cause <keyword id="100486" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Skin-irritation">skin irritation</keyword> and other infections. This <keyword id="2132796" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Powder-colour">powder colour</keyword> is available in many hues including red, pink, green, yellow and magenta. 
 
2. Red &amp; pink: These colours have mercuric oxide and rhodamine B; both can cause <keyword id="1654686" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="eye-irritation">eye irritation</keyword>, <keyword id="28956" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="skin-cancer">skin cancer</keyword> and more. 
 
3. Blue: Has <keyword id="890372" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prussian-blue">Prussian blue</keyword> that may cause contract dermatitis. 
 
4. Green: Contains copper carbonate/copper sulphate; this may cause severe eye <keyword id="6450271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="allergy">allergy</keyword> or even temporary blindness. 
 
5. Yellow: Features auramine, which may cause eye and skin allergy, as well as respiratory and <keyword id="2132814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Digestive-tract-irritation">digestive tract irritation</keyword>. 
 
6. Orange: Contains chromium Iodide, which is toxic to blood and liver. 
 
7. Violet: Has methyl violet; this can be carcinogenic and may cause severe eye irritation. 
 
8. Purple: Contains chromium iodide; this can also be carcinogenic and may cause <keyword id="6465125" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="asthma">asthma</keyword> or allergy. 
 
9. Silver: One of the components is aluminum bromide and it is also known to be carcinogenic. 
 
10. Black: Contains lead oxide, which may cause renal failure and learning disabilities in the long run. 
 
 
 
Go ‘natural’ to stay safe You can either buy herbal dyes or use home-made colours, which are clinically safe and totally <keyword id="6356826" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="environment">environment</keyword> friendly. The herbal variant is now easily available in the market and uses components such as flour, henna or arrowroot powder as base, and vegetable dyes to add colour. But before buying them, make sure they are non-carcinogenic, lead-free and lab-tested for safety. 
 You can also prepare <keyword id="583108" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holi-colours">Holi colours</keyword> at home as you get some excellent colorants from certain flowers and plants. All you need to do is dry and powder them or soak/boil them in water. Add a little scented oil and eco-friendly Holi colours will be ready for use. Take a look at the 8 exotic colours you can prepare at home. 
 
1. <keyword id="2132779" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ruby-Red">Ruby Red</keyword>: Prepare red sandalwood powder/paste or mix it in plenty of water and boil for <keyword id="2132794" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Liquid-colour">liquid colour</keyword>. You can also crush dry red hibiscus flowers and boil it in water. Peels of red <keyword id="92372" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Pomegranates">pomegranates</keyword> or twigs of madar tree produce a vibrant red when boiled in water. Otherwise, put carrot or tomato juice in plenty of water to take the stickiness out and use it. 
 
2. <keyword id="2132806" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Turmeric-yellow">Turmeric Yellow</keyword>: This one is the easiest to make. Mix turmeric or haldi powder with double the amount of besan to prepare a vivid yellow powder. Flowers like marigold and yellow chrysanthemums can also be dried and crushed to obtain different shades of yellow. To produce liquid colours, mix any of these powders in plenty of water and boil it. 
 
3. Profound Pink/Magnificent Magenta: Soak sliced beetroot in lots of water for 12 hours or so before using the liquid. 
 
4. Sunny Orange: Put tesu or palash flowers (flame of the forest) in water and soak overnight. Or boil them in water for a vibrant yellow-orange shade. 
 
5. Emerald Green: Dried and powdered henna leaves will work best. For wet colour, soak the henna leaves overnight or prepare a paste of spinach/coriander/mint, and mix it in water. 
 
6. Turquoise Blue: Jacaranda and blue hibiscus flowers can be dried, powdered and used. 
 
7. Dark Brown: Boil tea leaves or coffee powder. Let it cool before using. 
 
8. Charcoal Black: Boil dried amla in an iron vessel and leave it overnight. Mix with water and use. 
 
3 tips for a ‘safe’ Holi 
1. Say ‘no’ to colours: Especially pastes and liquid colours, as these tend to stain the skin deeper and last longer. Avoid colours altogether if you are suffering from asthma, eye or <keyword id="624291" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Skin-infections">skin infections</keyword>, or any other chronic disease. 
 
2. Cover yourself well: The more you do that, the less exposed you will be to harmful chemicals. Wear full-sleeve dresses and don a pair of sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes. Apply baby oil, cream or waterproof <keyword id="74032" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sunscreen">sunscreen</keyword> lotion on your skin – so that the stains will get off easily. 
 
3. See your doctor: Don’t neglect post-Holi syndromes like skin or eye irritation. A mild anti-allergic and soothing skin lotion should be able to fix it, but severe allergy, <keyword id="2132809" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chemical-burn">chemical burn</keyword> or <keyword id="2132810" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Retinal-damage">retinal damage</keyword> cannot be ruled out either. See your doctor as soon as you can and start proper treatment. 
 
Image credit: Thinkstock Photos/Getty Images

Usher In The Festival
Of Colours; Gear Up For A Chemical-free Holi

<ul><li><keyword id="1607389" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="dyson" source="Orion">Dyson</keyword> introduced its new cord-free vacuum cleaner 'V15 Detect Extra' in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>.</li><li>Priced at Rs 65,900, the Dyson V15 Detect Extra vacuum cleaner is available in Prussian Blue and Bright Copper colour at the company's official website and its offline stores.</li></ul>New Delhi, Global consumer electronics company Dyson on Wednesday introduced its new cord-free vacuum cleaner 'V15 Detect Extra' in India. Priced at Rs 65,900, the Dyson V15 Detect Extra vacuum cleaner is available in Prussian Blue and Bright Copper colour at the company's official website and its offline stores. Engineered with 230 air watts (AW) and a laser to reveal microscopic dust, it comes equipped with whole-machine <keyword id="1373030" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="hepa" source="Orion">HEPA</keyword> filtration to capture ultra-fine particles such as pet dander and nasties. The company introduced new attachments with the Dyson V15 Detect Extra -- scratch-free dusting brush and awkward gap tool attachments, which are engineered to provide the ultimate home cleaning solution, according to the company. It also comes with a built-in crevice and dusting tool that transforms the Dyson V15 Detect Extra into a handheld vacuum, saving time when switching between the floor and handheld cleaning. Moreover, the new vacuum cleaner also features Dyson's key technologies, such as dust illumination, piezo sensor, and advanced de-tangling brush bar technology. The dust illumination technology reveals the particles users cannot normally see on hard floors, so they know where to clean. With piezo sensor technology, carbon fibre filaments in the cleaner head pick up microscopic particles which are sized and counted up to 15,000 times a second. The dust enters the vacuum and hits the acoustic piezo sensor within the bin inlet with the tiny vibrations being converted to electrical signals, the company said. Engineered for homes with pets, the advanced brush bar technology is designed to tackle all hair, whether it is left behind by our feline, canine, or human friends. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/cert-in-warns-of-high-severity-vulnerabilities-in-apple-products-urges-immediate-action/articleshow/99231900.cms">CERT-In warns of high-severity vulnerabilities in Apple products, urges immediate action</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/googles-new-features-to-simplify-travel-planning-including-a-mobile-friendly-hotel-browsing-feature-a-price-guarantee-badge-for-flights-and-more/articleshow/99235884.cms">Google’s new features to simplify travel planning, including a mobile-friendly hotel browsing feature, a price guarantee badge for flights, and more</a>

Dyson V15 Detect Extra vacuum cleaner with intelligent filtration and new attachments launched at ₹65,900

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Usher In The Festival Of Colours; Gear Up For A Chemical-free Holi

Sanghamitra Mandal

Dyson V15 Detect Extra vacuum cleaner with intelligent filtration and new attachments launched at ₹65,900

IANS

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