Ethylene Dibromide

**Semantic type:** Hazardous or Poisonous Substance|Organic Chemical

**Definition:** A clear, colorless, volatile liquid brominated hydrocarbon with a mild, sweet, chloroform-like odor that emits corrosive and toxic fumes when heated to decomposition. Ethylene dibromide is used as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of resins, waxes, gums, dyes and pharmaceuticals and is used to produce vinyl bromide. Exposure to ethylene dibromide severely irritates the skin and causes depression and collapse. Ethylene dibromide affects DNA integrity by alkylation and is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

**Synonyms:** - 1,2-Dibromoethane - EDB - ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE