In 1966, scientists demonstrated that large amounts of oxygen could be dissolved in PFCs (perfluorinated compounds). Two years later, scientists replaced the blood in a laboratory rat with a solution of oxygen dissolved in PFCs. The animal lived and scientists began researching the use of PFCs as artificial blood. In 1990, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Fluosol-DA, a PFC solution licensed to Green Cross Corporation, as an oxygen carrier during the medical process of cleaning heart arteries with a balloon. PFCs are also used to temporarily replace eye fluid during surgery on the eye. PFC chains are the foundation of many products used to repel water, oil, and dirt from carpets and upholstery. Many aryl fluorides are important pharmaceutical and agricultural products. The anti-inflammatory agent dislunisal, the tranquilizer haloperidol and the sedative flurazepam hydrochloride are examples of drugs that are also aryl fluorides. Fluometuron, an aryl fluoride herbicide, is used to kill weeds in grain and cotton fields. Flutriafol, another aryl fluoride, is a fungicide used to stop diseases on the grains used in the manufacture of various cereals.

     Alkyl chlorides are useful in dissolving other chemicals, greases, and oils. They are used as solvents for dry , removing oil from metal parts, and running chemical reactions. Methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂) is an alkyl chloride with a low molecular weight that is used in many paint and varnish removers. It is also used as a solvent for removing caffeine from coffee. The well-known pescticide, DDT, is an aryl chloride that was first used in 1939 to kill the mosquitoes that transmitted malaria. This chemical was beneficial in eliminating the spread of malaria throughout the world. 

     Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are compounds that contain both chlorine atoms and fluorine atoms bonded to carbon atoms. CFCs are often called Freons (trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.) because they are used in refrigerators and air conditioners. CFCs are also employed in the manufacture of various hard foams that are used under the siding in buildings and around dish washers and refrigerators for insulation and sound proofing. Since CFCs are excellent at dissolving oil and grease, they are a primary component of dry cleaning solutions. They are also used to remove oil and grease from electronic parts. The chlorofluorocarbon, dichlorodifluoromethane (CCl₂F₂), is not poisonous and is employed as the carrier gas in asthma and allergy inhalers. This compound is mixed with ethylene oxide, and the resulting gas is used to sterilize medical equipment and materials that are sent into outer space. 

          Organobromides form highly reactive compounds when mixed with metals such as magnesium (Mg) or aluminum (Al); for this reason, they are used extensively in the manufacture of dyes, drugs, and other chemicals. The alkyl bromide, bromotrifluoromethane (CBrF₃) is not poisonous and will not burn. It is used in portable fire extinguishers and in airplanes to stop engine fires while in flight. Halothane (CF₃CHClBr), another organobromide, is used as a general medical anesthetic. Aryl bromides are colored and are used extensively as dyes and colorants. Alizarine Pure Blue B is an aryl bromide used to dye wool. The orange color in lipsticks is often D & C Orange No. 5, another member of the organobromide family.