In his new book, "Rust: The Longest War," Jonathan Waldman delves into the pervasive issue of corrosion, which costs the United States approximately $400 billion annually. This figure highlights the significant impact rust has on the nation's infrastructure, military equipment, and monuments. Waldman notes that cities in Pennsylvania, once vibrant steel producers now identified as part of the Rust Belt, are particularly affected by this problem.
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Waldman's interest in rust began with a personal experience in 2007 when he and two friends purchased a 40-foot sailboat with the hope of sailing around the world. They faced numerous challenges over two years, primarily dealing with various rust issues that arose on the boat. This challenging experience sparked Waldman's fascination with rust.
He describes rust as perhaps the most destructive natural disaster affecting modern society, accounting for about 3 percent of the national GDP and contributing to the poor state of American infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers often rates U.S. infrastructure as a 'D,' citing rust as a major factor. Waldman emphasizes that rust poses critical threats, notably to the U.S. Navy and even to iconic structures like the Statue of Liberty.
Despite its widespread presence, Waldman believes rust often goes unnoticed. He argues that society treats the issue with indifference, assuming that someone must be managing it. However, with very few corrosion engineers in the country and their roles often hidden from public view, rust management is frequently overlooked.
When discussing the lack of reference to rust in official infrastructure dialogues, Waldman suggests it is due to a cultural taboo. People typically view discussions about rust similarly to subjects like cholesterol—embarrassing and indicative of neglect.
This cultural stigma may lead many to underestimate the importance of maintenance. Waldman argues that contemporary society's technological advancements create a false sense of security regarding infrastructure care, allowing rust to be ignored.
As a light-hearted conclusion, Waldman shares a rust poem from the 1974 president of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, illustrating the humor and creativity surrounding the otherwise serious issue of rust. The poem reflects on the significance of rust while acknowledging the difficulty of fully combating it.