The Negative Effects of the Construction of the Panama Canal

The Impact of Panama Canal Construction

Many of the workers could and did die. Diseases such as, yellow fever, malaria, mosquito bites and, snake bites caused their deaths. This took time, hard work, and a lot of money.

The construction of the Panama Canal had several negative effects, with one of the most significant being the high mortality rate among the workers involved in the project. During the construction period, workers faced numerous health hazards that resulted in illness and death.

Yellow fever and malaria were rampant in the region, posing a major threat to the workers. The spread of these diseases was facilitated by the warm and humid climate of the Panama Canal zone, providing a suitable environment for disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Mosquito bites were a common occurrence and often led to serious illnesses, further increasing the risk of death among the workers. In addition, snake bites were another danger faced by the workers, especially those working in the jungle areas surrounding the construction site.

These health hazards not only resulted in a loss of workforce but also had a significant impact on the progress of the construction project. The high mortality rate among the workers delayed the completion of the Panama Canal, leading to increased costs and logistical challenges.