I researched organohalegens and their effect on fertility rates and birth defects while in college, its a concern but more so when it comes to polluting our food supply. Such as dumping chemicals in to the ocean where they can make their way up the food chain (plankton to fish to larger fish to big ass blue fin tuna that people love to eat). There was also a rise (not much but noticable) in the rise of intersex polar bears, but that needed more research for me to stand by it. There is enough to show organohalegens do cause birth defects. They should be handled properly, limited to items where they are neccessary, and never dumped or disposed of improperly. I wish I still had my notes cause theyd go well with this post. For sure dont be panicing about "chemicals" in food and other things like some people do. The vast majority of those "chemicals" are just scientific names for perfeclty edible ingredients.