Uses of Sulfur

Sulfur is an abundant, non-metallic chemical element that has a bright lemon yellow to yellow brown color and finds utility in many areas of life. The elemental value of sulfur is known to be discovered in 1809 and since then it has been put to various uses. The chemical compilation and properties of sulfur are the reasons behind its high utility value. It can be found in nature in its pure elemental form, as a sulfate mineral or as a sulfide. Some of the special features of this element include its softness, the odor that it lets out when it burns and its extremely low density.

Atomic Symbol: S
Atomic Mass: 32.06g/mol
Atomic Number: 16
Melting Point: 112.8˚C
Boiling Point: 444.6˚C

Uses of Sulfur and its Compounds

Sulfur is a life essential element, without which everyday life would be really difficult. It is commercially produced for its various uses by wells that are sunk into areas that have salt domes or can also be obtained from natural gas and petroleum.

Sulfur is most commonly used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid which is in turn used for various industrial purposes. The industrial uses include use in manufacture of fertilizers, adhesives, animal feed, cement, explosives, glass, fumigants, matches and inorganic chemicals. It is also used in the manufacture of natural rubber and steel. It also finds utility in sugar refining, petroleum refining, soil amendments and manufacture of slat blocks.

Sulfur powder is used as an active ingredient in many of the skin creams and lotions. It is also used for waste water processing, mineral extraction, manufacture of agrichemicals, fungicides and dyes. Burning sulfur powder is used to bleach paper and for dried fruits preservation.

Sulfur is used in many of the skin treatment ointments, bar soaps, lotions and creams as it is extremely beneficial in the treatment of acne. It is also used as a treatment ingredient for the cure of other skin related disorders like scabies, seborrheic dermatitis, warts, acne vulgaris, rosacea, pityriasis versicolor and dandruff. This is due to the antifungal, antibacterial and keratolytic properties of sulfur. A combination of sulfur and alcohol works wonderfully in the treatment of acne and for tackling oily skin problems. Sulfur solution can also be used to speed up the process of wound healing and was widely used for this purpose during the Trojan wars. It can also be used to treat piles and is used in homeopathy to treat hypothyroidism and arthritis.

Sulfur is extremely essential in the normal functioning of the human body. It is not produced by the human body but needs to be obtained from food sources and in cases of extreme deficiency; it should be obtained by dietary supplementation. It makes up around 0.25% of the human body weight and is an essential part of all living cells. It is essential in the prevention of many disorders and hence, should be necessarily obtained from food or supplementation.

These were some of the uses of sulfur and there are many other uses of this important element. Even though it is considered to be very essential for life, it tends to get toxic if found or obtained excessively and hence, its toxicity should be avoided.