Sulfur is essential to life. It is a minor constituent of fats, body fluids, and skeletal minerals. Carbon disulfide, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide should be handled carefully. Hydrogen sulfide in small concentrations can be metabolized, but in higher concentrations it quickly can cause death by respiratory paralysis. It is insidious in that it quickly deadens the sense of smell.
Sulfur dioxide is a dangerous component in atmospheric air pollution.
In 1975, University of Pennsylvania scientists reported synthesis of polymeric sulfur nitride, which has the properties of a metal, although it contains no metal atoms. The material has unusual optical and electrical properties. As soil conditioner. Sulfur is used in the production of sulfuric acid, carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide. It is also used in the wood pulping industry for the vulcanization of rubber, in soil nutrients and asphalt extension.