This report is the first attempt at presenting an unified overview of the organic compounds produced by the retorting of raw oil shale. The emphasis is on the secondary, minor, and trace organic constituents of the process streams rater than on the major components of the crude shale oil. All of the well-characterized organic constituents of oil-shale process streams are discussed with respect to their occurrence and abundance. The origin and fate of each chemical class during retorting is also discussed; much of this discussion includes conjectures based on known chemical reactions. Brief discussion includes conjectures based on known chemical reactions. Brief discussions are also included with environmental health effects may be important. Conjectures are made with respect to compounds that may be present in process streams but have yet to be identified because of limitations in methods of chemical analysis. The major objective of this unified approach was to suggest a way in which predications could be made regarding the composition of oil shale process streams, but have yet to be identified because of limitations in methods of chemical analysis. The major objective of this unified approach was to suggest a way in which predictions could be made regarding the composition of oil shale process streams, which to date remain largely uncharacterized. An approach is suggested with which this information could be used in developing environmental monitoring plans for commercial scale oil shale facilities. A major conclusion of this report is that most organic compounds produced during oil-shale retorting have multiple origins; many originate from either direct liquid extraction of mild pyrolysis of the kerogen as well as from complex intermolecular chemical reactions of simple precursors. Almost all of the compounds produced are not only products f other synfuel and petroleum refining, but they also occur ubiquitously in the environment.