This article summarizes and systematizes the current understanding of abiotic and biotic chemistry of halogenated aliphatic compounds. Knowledge of abiotic transformations can provide a conceptual framework for understanding biologically mediated transformations. Most abiotic transformations are slow, but they can still be significant within the time scales commonly associated with ground water movement. In contrast, biotic transformations typically proceed much faster, provided that there are sufficient substrate and nutrients and a microbial population that can mediate such transformation. Recent studies, which describe transformations of halogenated aliphatic compounds in microbial and mammalian systems, are also discussed. These studies reveal broad patterns of transformation in biological systems in general. 114 references, 8 figures, 12 tables.