How to Find Sulfur

Check areas around volcanoes because pure sulfur is often located at the base. When a volcano erupts, sulfur gas is released into the air. When the gas hits the cold air in the atmosphere, it returns to a solid form and becomes a yellowish stone. Volcanoes are found throughout the world, including several in the United States such as Mt. St. Helens in Washington State, Mt. Shasta in California and Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii.

Check the ingredient list of insecticides and fertilizer. Powdered sulfur is sprinkled in gardens to drive away pests wishing to feast on the plants. The compound sulfuric acid, or H2SO4, is found in most fertilizers, since sulfur is vital for plant growth. As of 2011, nearly 75 percent of all sulfur produced is used to make sulfuric acid.

Locate a beauty supply store or pharmacy. The human body also needs a certain amount of sulfur to function properly. Without it, a person can suffer from poor nail and hair growth as well as itching and flaking skin. Sulfur and sulfuric acid have been used both as a beauty aid and medicinally for centuries. Sulfur is found in acne creams, hair growth products, shampoos, vitamins and laxatives. Sulfur is also an ingredient in special soaps used to treat parasitic infections such as scabies and ringworm.

Discovered by Charles Goodyear, vulcanization is the addition of sulfur to rubber to make the rubber hard and stiff. Sulfur is a vital part of vulcanization, because the sulfur keeps the rubber from melting when it begins to warm.