 
Sulphur is element number 16 on the periodic table. A bright yellow, crystalline solid at room temperature, it's a nonmetallic element that is widely distributed over the Earth's surface. It is tasteless, odourless, insoluble in water, and often occurs in yellow crystals.
Sulphur is the tenth most abundant element by mass in the universe, and the fifth most common on Earth. Though sometimes found in its pure, yellow crystal form, sulphur on Earth usually occurs as sulphide and sulphate minerals. Historically sulphur is also called brimstone, which means "burning stone". Prehistoric humans used sulphur as a pigment for cave painting; one of the first recorded instances of the art of medication is in the use of sulphur as 'medicine'. 
“Fire and brimstone” references in the Bible are related to sulphur, suggesting that “hell’s fires” are fuelled by sulphur. Luke 17:29 says, "But on the day that Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulphur rained from heaven and destroyed them all". This notion is likely due to the fact that magma, particularly near volcanic activity, releases sulphur dioxide into the air. The beginnings of the industrial uses of sulphur are credited to the Egyptians, who used sulphur dioxide for bleaching cotton as early as 1600 BC. The use of sulphur in explosives and fire displays dates to about 500 BC in China, and flame-producing agents used in warfare ('Greek fire') were prepared with sulphur in the Middle Ages. In modern times, millions of tons of sulphur are produced each year, mostly for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, which is widely used in industry. Elemental sulphur is produced all over the world. The largest production occurs where sour gas and oil is processed and refined: the United States, Canada, the Former Soviet Union, and West Asia. 
Almost all elemental sulphur is produced as a byproduct of removing sulphur-containing contaminants from natural gas and petroleum. The greatest commercial use of the element is the production of sulphuric acid for sulphate and phosphate fertilizers, and other chemical processes. Sulphur is used in matches, insecticides, and fungicides.Many sulphur compounds smell really bad. They are responsible for the smells of skunk scent, bad breath, grapefruit, and garlic. Hydrogen sulphide gives the characteristic odour to sour gas wells, rotting eggs and other biological processes. Sulphur is an essential element for all life. It's involved in many biochemical processes. Sulphur is incorporated into amino acids, which are used to make proteins. Sulphur is incorporated into tissues like skin, cartilage and hair. Plants and algae absorb sulphur from soil or seawater in the form of sulphates (sulphur combined with oxygen). Humans get sulphur from their diet, mainly from proteins. Foods high in sulphur include eggs, dairy, chicken, crab, lobster, almonds, nuts, seeds, chickpeas, beans, and lentils. A lack of sulphur can lead to malnutrition, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disorders and stroke. |