You are here :: Panama Real Estate » About-panama » Fiberglass-chorerra

According to La Prensa, November 3, 2008, there is concern in Chorrera that the use of fiberglass pipes in a new water plant will be dangerous. The Movimiento por la Defensa de los Recursos Hídricos de La Chorrera, or Movement for the Defense of Water Resources of Chorrera, claims that use of fiberglass pipes in the water plant will be harmful.

A lot of fiberglass was used over the years in insulation in public buildings including schools. Panama is in the process of removing fiberglass from buildings. Now the issue comes up as to whether or not fiberglass pipes are dangerous.

A new water plant capable of pumping 40 million gallons a day is to come on line in January 2009 in Chorrera. The 44 million dollar investment is well on its way to completion. Fiberglass pipes are being used. According to industry reports fiberglass pipes are used because they are corrosion resistant.

Dangers from Fiberglass

For years it has been known that fiberglass insulation causes local irritation when handled incorrectly. There are studies showing than implanted fiberglass can cause cancer in animals but according to an Illinois Department of Health web site and a web site of the American Lung Association cancer is not an issue with fiberglass. Also, the issues seem to be inhalation of fiberglass dust when handling glass wool or when cutting fiberglass pipes. Both web sites are clear that fiberglass, when in place, does constitute a health concern. The fiberglass at the water plant in Chorrera will be in pipes only as such should not be a health concern.

It is of note that fiberglass has replaced asbestos insulation which can cause lung disease and cancer. These are different products.

A University of Wisconsin web site notes that over 400 medical studies have looked at the issue of fiberglass as a cancer causing agent and that the consensus is that fiberglass does not cause cancer.

Public Health Concerns in Panama; Then and Now

During the years of military dictatorship in Panama from 1968 to the overthrow of Manuel Noriega in 1989 farmers in Chirqui where most of Panama’s produce is grown complained of injury and death from use of Paraquat, a very toxic herbicide no banned in the European Union and requiring a license to apply in the United States. The complaints of farmers fell on deaf ears. Today, in the same area environmental groups are active and, in fact, sustainable agriculture and organic farming are strong. Since the years of dictatorship Panama has developed a comparatively transparent albeit at times quarrelsome society.

So, folks in Chorrera don’t want fiberglass pipes in their water plant. It appears that the science behind this would show that fiberglass pipes are not a safety issue. Nevertheless the complaints are being aired and published. In the interests of good governance and public safety Panama now listens to citizen complains and does not ignore herbicide related deaths such as with Paraquat.