Corrosion-resistant lights and cords are designed for extreme work environments where corrosive substances threaten the lifespan and efficiency of fixtures. According to a 1998 U.S. Federal Highway Administration study, U.S.-based companies and organizations spend over $276 billion (or 3.1 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product [GDP]) annually on the prevention, monitoring and maintenance of corrosion-related issues.
Sectors that are greatly affected by corrosion include infrastructure, $22.6 billion; production and manufacturing, $17.6 billion; transportation, $29.7 billion; utilities, $47.9 billion; and government, $20.1 billion. In Japan, the figure is set at 1.2 percent of the country’s GDP; while other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Kuwait and Australia range between 1 to 5 percent. Factors contributing to the overwhelming rates include aging, increase in maintenance and replacement costs, and tight quality assurance standards.