A hidden construction cost for children

DUST AND CEMENT rising from the large number of construction projects in Panama may be a contributory cause of a rise in the number of respiratory problems among city children.

Official figures show that that the Hospital del Nino treated 43 925 children for respiratory problems, 7.2% more than in 2011.

The president of the Panamanian Society of Pediatrics, Ivan Wilson, says the increase may be due to factors such as the large number of projects that are being  built, that cause dust and cement in the environment.
The Panama Fire Department says at least three times a week they are called to different addresses to provide first aid to citizens who have respiratory crisis, especially in the areas near the Panama Canal.