Most, however, is used in the production of sulfuric acid, which is the most important chemical manufactured by western civilisations. Biological Role Sulfur is essential to life as a component of fats, body fluids and bones. It is non-toxic as the element and in the form of the sulphate, but carbon disulphide, hydrogen sulphide and sulfur dioxide are all toxic, especially hydrogen sulphide which can cause death by respiratory paralysis. General Information Sulfur occurs in several allotropic forms whether in the liquid, solid or gaseous state. Amorphous or .
Crystalline sulfur is made up of rings, each containing eight sulfur atoms.