It is a dense colorless liquid with a faint, sweet odor, detectable at 10 ppm.

It continues to be used as a fumigant for treatment of logs for termites and beetles, and for control of moths in beehives.

[8] 1,2-Dibromoethane has wider applications in the preparation of other organic compounds including those carrying modified diazocine rings[9] and vinyl bromide that is a precursor to some fire retardants.

[4] In organic synthesis, 1,2-dibromoethane is used to brominate carbanions and to activate magnesium for certain Grignard reagents.

[11] The effects on people of breathing high levels are not known, but animal studies with short-term exposures to high levels caused depression and collapse, indicating effects on the brain.