Ethidium bromide binds with DNA and slips in between its hydrophobic base pairs and stretches the DNA fragment, removing water molecules from the ethidium cation. The result of this dehydrogenation is an increase in fluorescence of the ethidium (as well as the cell).

Studies are inconclusive that ethidium bromide, an inhibitor for cell growth, is not shown to be toxic in humans, but the metabolites may exude mutagenic characteristics.

Ethidium bromide is a chemical that is able to intercalate (fit between the bases) between the bases of double stranded DNA strands

Because PAGE gels are used to look a protein and ethidium bromide only stains double stranded nucleic acids.

S. Chaudhuri has written:

'Radiation studies on ethidium bromide'