What is the cost of corrosion? In the case of the Freedom Industries chemical leak of January 2014, according to a study by Marshall University Center for Business, the economic impact was $61,000,000. The cost was estimated to be $19.000.000 for each day the “Do Not Use” water order was in effect. That amounted to 19% of the economic impact of the nine counties affected. Sixteen percent of WV’…s economy was shut down, affecting nearly 75,000 workers. This cost does not include the cost of litigation and potential future monetary awards.

It is estimated that the tank that leaked could have been sandblasted, repaired and coated, bringing it up to standards, for less than $75,000, thus avoiding the chemical leak and the subsequent economic impact.