Over time, the production of caustic alkali products destroyed Onondaga Lake.

Etching to expose radiation damage is typically performed using solutions of caustic alkalis such as sodium hydroxide, regularly at high temperatures for a number of hours.

With some chemicals-above all with caustic alkalis such as sodium hydroxide-there may be necrosis of the conjunctiva with a deceptively white eye due to vascular closure, followed by sloughing of the dead epithelium.

The salt solution (brine) is continuously fed to the anode compartment and flows through the diaphragm to the cathode compartment, where the caustic alkali is produced and the brine is partially depleted.