Final answer:
Harsh weather conditions and diseases were a significant challenge in building the Panama Canal, causing numerous worker deaths and ultimately leading to the failure of the French attempt before the US took over and made significant improvements in health and safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
A significant challenge in building the Panama Canal was the harsh weather conditions and diseases. The French attempt in the 1880s failed due to a combination of health hazards, including rampant tropical diseases such as yellow fever and malaria, compounded by relentless tropical rains, flooding, and mudslides, which led to the deaths of over 20,000 workers and eventually bankrupted the project. When the United States took over the construction of the Panama Canal, they encountered similar challenges but made significant strides by improving living conditions, implementing anti-mosquito measures, and making advances in medical practices that drastically reduced the spread of diseases amongst workers. Nevertheless, an additional 5,600 workers would lose their lives, pointing to the persistent peril of tropical diseases and difficult working conditions in the region.