The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Chairman Vaman Acharya on Wednesday said that paints used in Ganesha and Gowri idols have chemicals that pollute water bodies.

Thus, people should switch to eco-friendly idols that are painted with organic colours, he said. He also expressed concern over indiscriminate use of thermocol which is non-biodegradable.“Thermocol has emerged as another pollutant. Artisans use it to make their idols made of Plaster of Paris strong,” said Acharya. “It takes a hammer to break an idol made using thermocol,” he added.