Thermal decomposition results for CCl4, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CH3Cl, C3H3Cl, CFCl3, CF2Cl2, CF3Cl, CF2HCl, CF3I, CH3I, C2H5I, C6H5I, and CCl2O are reviewed and summarized. The results were obtained by shock tube techniques coupled with optical spectroscopic detection of transient species formed from dissociation. The method is illustrated with the CH3I (+ Kr) --> CH3 + I(+ Kr) reaction where decomposition was monitored using I-atom atomic resonance absorption spectrometry (ARAS). Modern unimolecular rate theoretical analysis has been carried out on the present cases, and the conclusions from these calculations are discussed. Lastly, the possible destruction of halo-organics by incineration is considered and some implications are:discussed.