Catalyzes hydrolytic cleavage of carbon-halogen bonds in halogenated aliphatic compounds, leading to the formation of the corresponding primary alcohols, halide ions and protons. Has a broad substrate specificity, which includes terminally mono- and di- chlorinated and brominated alkanes (up to C4 only). The highest activity was found with 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,3-dichloropropane, and 1,2-dibromoethane (By similarity). 1-haloalkane + H2O = a halide anion + a primary alcohol + H(+) 1,2-dichloroethane + H2O = 2-chloroethanol + chloride + H(+) Inhibited by thiol reagents such as p-chloromercuribenzoate and iodoacetamide. Xenobiotic degradation; 1,2-dichloroethane degradation; glycolate from 1,2-dichloroethane: step 1/4. Monomer. Belongs to the haloalkane dehalogenase family. Type 1 subfamily.