Las Tablas Carnival to monitor sound levels
Sound levels at the famed Las Tablas Carnival March 4-8 will be monitored in the interests of public health.
A noise pollution law was introduced in 2002 that limit sound levels in Panama to 55 decibels between 6:00 am and 6 p.m. From then until 6 a.m. the maximum level is 50 decibels
The regional director of the Ministry of Health in Los Santos, Kenya Zambrano, said that all carnival activities should be designed to reduce noise.
The law covers noise intensity outside of a room produced “by factories, workshops, warehouses, bars, clubs and businesses whose activities generate noise.”
Fines ranging from $10 t0 $1000 can be imposed along with closure of the activity.
Zambardo said the health department will fumigate the busiest areas during activities that begin Friday. The quality of water used in culecos (spraying of celebrants with water from tankers) will also be monitored.
Health staff will visit retail food outlets in order to ensure standards of hygiene in food preparation.
EDITOR: Residents of Bella Vista and Casco Viejo will be hoping that similar monitoring of noise levels will be in place on the Cinta Costera. The problem is not the absence of laws, but ENFORCEMENT .
