"They are sold loose in the open market and consumers have little or no idea of their lethal contents," she added.

Red is obtained from mercury sulphite, which causes skin cancer, paralysis, impaired vision, blue from Prussian blue, silver from aluminum bromide both being carcinogenic, green from copper sulphate, which cause eye allergy, puffiness and temporary blindness, black from lead oxide causing renal failure and learning disability.

In the light of this it is important to play safe Holi by replacing toxic materials with natural sources like flowers of marigold, amalts, tesu, rind of pomegranate, rhizome of turmeric, for yellow, slice of beetroot for deep pink or magenta, madder and golden drop roots for deep red, henna leaves for green, annatto seeds for orange and jacaranda flowers for blue.