The organizers of the race assure that the powder is safe for the health of the runners and that it is non-flammable, as claimed by the engineering students.
The controversy surrounding the colored powders used during the “Color Me Rad” races does not ease. This Monday, the organizers wished to defend themselves against the “accusations” brought by the Rennes National School of Chemistry (ENSCR) which they considered “false” and “defamatory”.
In a press release, the Iphitos agency, organizer of Color Me Rad races in France, insists on the harmlessness of these cornstarch-based powders imported from India and used during the Indian national holiday Holi. Moreover, the agency organized “14 races and brought together 120,000 runners in two years without having experienced any problem”.
It ensures that the dye added to this powder is not toxic to participants or the environment, that it is not stinging and allergenic and that it is non-flammable. It supports its defense by presenting the results of toxicological tests carried out two years previously. One of them was carried out by the National Center for Prevention and Protection, and certifies that “the powders from AMA Herbal Laboratories projected onto a flame using a device pressurized using ‘a gas cartridge does not ignite’.
A different powder
Furthermore, a toxicological test conducted by SGS Laboratories indicates that the product does not present any danger to the health of runners. “The ingredients used meet the purity requirements. It is also found that the ingredients of this product do not contain contaminants or toxic residues, irritating to the skin, eyes or mucous membranes, or do not cause a sensitization reaction in a consumer who may be exposed. None of the disclosed ingredients is classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic “, writes the laboratory in its report issued in August 2013. It recognizes, however, that” a considerable amount of powder can be inhaled during use, and although the large majority will only reach the nasal cavity, it can cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract ”.
On the other hand, the organizers point out that the powder analyzed by the chemistry students is not the one used during the Color Me Rad races. Indeed, the two engineering students explain having analyzed Color People powders supplied by Holi France, “the leading supplier of colored powders in France”, they specify. However, the Iphitos agency does not obtain its supplies from this company but from AMA Herbal Laboratories. Therefore, the organizers believe that their festive and colorful races present no danger.
A dozen dead in Taiwan
This assessment work on the risks of ignition and explosion of dust generated by these products was carried out by the ENSCR at the request of the firefighters of the Ille-et-Vilaine Departmental Fire and Rescue Service ( Saturday 35). “We are used to managing risks related to dust, agricultural type (explosion of corn dust, wheat, etc.), mining type or those from timber companies, explained Commander Arnaud Guitton, departmental technical advisor. chemical and biological hazards of Sdis 35 in a press release that was deleted by the school. This is a new risk for which we wanted to have recommendations. The report sent by these students will be used to put in place adapted safety instructions for the upcoming Color me Rad race ”.
To justify their concern, they recall the dramatic accident that occurred in a water park in Taiwan on June 27. That day, a coloring powder spread over the crowd ignited, killing 14 people and burning nearly 500.
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