1,2-dibromoethane degradation pathway UPa:UPA00006 Degradation of 1,2-dibromoethane. 1,2-dibromoethane is a manufactured chemical. It also occurs naturally in small amounts in the ocean where it is formed, probably by algae and kelp. Other names for 1,2-dibromoethane are ethylene dibromide, EDB, and glycol bromide. It is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). haloalkane degradation xenobiotic degradation