Kolkata: Health experts sound alarm about ‘super-spreader’ Holi

Kolkata: Experts are worried about Holi turning into a super-spreader event at a time when the city is witnessing a resurgence in Covid cases. Since Holi is played in close physical proximity, the possibility of spreading the infection is very high and Bengal, which is already poll-bound, must desist from playing Holi as cases are likely to increase manifold if people don’t follow Covid-safety norms, they felt.

“Holi marks the onset of spring, a time conducive to viral infections, including Covid, because of sudden meteorological changes. People, particularly the elderly, have to be careful,” said Arup Halder, a consultant pulmonologist.

In ancient India, both dry and wet colours used to be sourced from nature. The herbal colours have the least adverse effect on health. But modern colours and gulal, produced industrially, are toxic cocktails. The manufacturing is poorly regulated as well. A series of tests by different organizations have found that the modern colours contain substances like suspected carcinogen malachite green, rhodamine and gentian violet.

“Toxic agents, like lead oxide, mercury sulphite, copper sulphate and mica in gulal or abir leave no doubt about the irreversible impact they have on health,” said Sudipto Bhattacharya of Savior and Friends of Environment.

“After every Holi, there is a sudden spurt of patients with inflammation of corona. This spurt also shows the element of toxins that enter our bodies and we have the least awareness about them," said ophthalmologist Smarajit Ganguly.

“The PM 10 in gulal can affect the respiratory system. With the resurgence of Covid, it can complicate the situation,” said Debasis Basu, a preventive medicine expert. The best way is to use organic colours. But less than 10% products claim to be non-toxic. “There is also no study available to affirm or doubt these claims,” said researcher Jayanta Ghosh.