Functions:

1. It can be used as sulfuric acid in batteries or in solutions. Sulfur is used to make black powder.

2. It is used as a vulcanizing agent in the rubber industry. Sulfur is also used to kill fungus and used as a fertilizer. Sulfur is used to bleach in the paper industry.

3.Sulfates also have uses in pyrotechnics. Sodium thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate are used as fixatives in photography.

Hazard:

Sulfur burns in the air, blue flame occurs when burning, generating sulfur dioxide, powder in the air or oxidizing agent mixing prone to combustion, or even explosion.

Extended information

In nature sulfur occurs mainly in the form of sulfides (such as pyrite) and sulfates (such as gypsum), and pure sulfur also exists in hot springs and volcanic areas. In addition to this some minerals such as cinnabar, galena, sphalerite and pyroxene are also sulfide minerals. Coal and oil also contain small amounts of sulfur, which is why sulfur dioxide is released when coal and oil are burned (acid rain).

Many countries today require that the sulfur dioxide that is released when coal and oil are burned be recycled. This recovered sulfur is an important source of sulfur used in industry today. This is usually accomplished through a process called the Krause process. Another important source is sulfur ore.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Sulfur