This is total rubbish. Those scientists are either filtered fools, in the sense if don't know the population of India, the healthy Indians, the several thousand history of our spices OR are behaving over smart by trying to suppress the gaining popularity of Indian cuisine worldwide.

Remember these 'scientists' have already gained victory over many of our Indian oils to popularize their Sunflower oil. This is just a sample of several other attempts.

Does Kumkum(vermillion) fall into the category of spices? Or does it affect even with external exposure to skin ?

I would rather suggest that newspapers bring out a link of the page of how and with what methodology the researchers came to this conclusion rather than having only headlines and half baked content.

The effect of Indian spices depends on how it is prepared etc, which these so called researchers fail to establish. Rather to show off their western style they try making these reports. Absurd !!!!

I agree that the spices in themselves are not harmful. But in recent times, the way most products are made have a lot of fillers to enhance profit. Dried Papaya seeds mixed with black whole pepper, stone powder mixed in chili powder etc. While growing up, the stickers in Bindi caused skin allergies and people preferred Kumkum, but now-a-days Kumkum is causing allergies [due to fillers], and the Indian skin doctors are recommending to not apply them directly.
These products are having good standard in India, so the products these profs tested could have been tainted. But making general blanket statement only induces panic. They should be more explicit in what they tested (natural form or something brought of the shelves)