<p><a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/scientists-track-veil-of-toxic-metals-carried-in-kilaueas-gas-plumes-revealing-hidden-dangers-of" rel="nofollow noreferrer">This article</a> states that volcanos can deposit heavy metals along with water vapor and sulfur compounds:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>When volcanoes erupt they exhale a cocktail of gases – mostly steam, carbon dioxide &gt; and sulphur dioxide – laced with evaporated heavy metals, including lead and
arsenic. To the communities living alongside volcanoes, these gases are often a
considerable source of air pollution and the volatile metals they carry may have
long-lasting impacts on both health and environment.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It's probably best to secure them from being picked up by little hands as they tend to put items (especially their dirty fingers) back in their mouths.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-06-20T14:12:14.070Z
2022-06-20T14:12:14.070Z
Not Entirely Serious
<p>This won't be a problem if you store it properly.
<strong>Make sure it's away from your children..</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><p>If it's exposed to the skin it can cause itching</p>
</li>
<li><p>If it's consumed it can cause diarrhea</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>I suggest you to save it in a jar</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-08-01T08:23:10.650Z
2022-08-01T08:23:10.650Z
Samzell
<p><strong>Short answer:</strong></p>
<p>Assuming it is sulfur (likely, but I'm not addressing other compounds in this answer) you should be fine as long as you keep it away from heat (melts at a low temperature and is somewhat flammable).</p>
<p>I've had a chunk of sulfur in my house for about 40 years and never had an issue with it.  I'm pretty sure most of the cleaning products in the house are more dangerous.</p>
<p><strong>Long(er) answer:</strong></p>
<p>From the sulfur MSDS (<a href="https://www.teck.com/media/Sulfur.pdf" rel="noreferrer">PDF</a>):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Sulphur is relatively non-toxic to humans, causing only mild local
irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and upper airways. However, under
certain circumstances it may release toxic hydrogen sulphide and/or
sulphur dioxide gas. Sulphur is not listed as a carcinogen by OSHA,
NTP, IARC or ACGIH.</p>
<p>Both molten and solid forms are combustible and will ignite at high
temperatures (&gt;200°C), burning with a pale blue flame that may be
difficult to see in daylight. Sulphur dust suspended in air ignites
easily and can cause explosions in confined spaces. Sulphur dust
clouds can be ignited by friction, static electricity, heat, sparks or
flames. Traces of hydrogen sulphide and sulphur vapor may present an
explosion hazard if evolved into a confined space or enclosed space,
particularly from molten sulphur. The LEL of hydrogen sulphide (4.3%
by volume in air) may be exceeded in enclosed spaces above molten
sulphur.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>See also the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sulfur&amp;oldid=1092444175#Precautions" rel="noreferrer">precautions</a> section on Wikipedia.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-06-20T09:03:30.273Z
To add to this, it would probably be best to keep any sulfur in an air tight container so it doesn't react with moisture in the atmosphere. Some moisture absorbing silica gel, or similar should also be placed in the same container. Such reactions would produce minor amounts of sulfuric acid, even a vapors, & degrade the sulfur. It would also be best to keep any sulfur away from materials that could corrode, such as iron or steel as any sulfuric acid vapor would deleteriously affect such items.
Fred
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-06-19T10:53:55.107Z
2022-06-19T10:53:55.107Z
GrapefruitIsAwesome
<p>Took some sulfur stones while hiking on a volcano. Keeping them at home as a piece of decore. Is it safe to store it on a shelf? Can it ignite or somehow do harm to me or to my pets?
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/LdFIp.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/LdFIp.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-06-20T22:04:05.607Z
Why might it not be?
Robbie Goodwin
<geology><minerals>
Is it safe to keep volcanic sulfur at home?
Boris Chumichev
# Is it safe to keep volcanic sulfur at home?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-06-19)

Took some sulfur stones while hiking on a volcano. Keeping them at home as a piece of decore. Is it safe to store it on a shelf? Can it ignite or somehow do harm to me or to my pets?
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/LdFIp.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/LdFIp.jpg)

**Tags:** geology, minerals

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Why might it not be?  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2022-06-19. Score: 15 | Accepted answer

**Short answer:**

Assuming it is sulfur (likely, but I'm not addressing other compounds in this answer) you should be fine as long as you keep it away from heat (melts at a low temperature and is somewhat flammable).

I've had a chunk of sulfur in my house for about 40 years and never had an issue with it. I'm pretty sure most of the cleaning products in the house are more dangerous.

**Long(er) answer:**

From the sulfur MSDS ([PDF](https://www.teck.com/media/Sulfur.pdf)):

> Sulphur is relatively non-toxic to humans, causing only mild local
> irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and upper airways. However, under
> certain circumstances it may release toxic hydrogen sulphide and/or
> sulphur dioxide gas. Sulphur is not listed as a carcinogen by OSHA,
> NTP, IARC or ACGIH.
>
> Both molten and solid forms are combustible and will ignite at high
> temperatures (>200°C), burning with a pale blue flame that may be
> difficult to see in daylight. Sulphur dust suspended in air ignites
> easily and can cause explosions in confined spaces. Sulphur dust
> clouds can be ignited by friction, static electricity, heat, sparks or
> flames. Traces of hydrogen sulphide and sulphur vapor may present an
> explosion hazard if evolved into a confined space or enclosed space,
> particularly from molten sulphur. The LEL of hydrogen sulphide (4.3%
> by volume in air) may be exceeded in enclosed spaces above molten
> sulphur.

See also the [precautions](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sulfur&oldid=1092444175#Precautions) section on Wikipedia.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: To add to this, it would probably be best to keep any sulfur in an air tight container so it doesn't react with moisture in the atmosphere. Some moisture absorbing silica gel, or similar should also be placed in the same container. Such reactions would produce minor amounts of sulfuric acid, even a vapors, & degrade the sulfur. It would also be best to keep any sulfur away from materials that could corrode, such as iron or steel as any sulfuric acid vapor would deleteriously affect such items.  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-06-20. Score: 3

[This article](https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/scientists-track-veil-of-toxic-metals-carried-in-kilaueas-gas-plumes-revealing-hidden-dangers-of) states that volcanos can deposit heavy metals along with water vapor and sulfur compounds:

> When volcanoes erupt they exhale a cocktail of gases – mostly steam, carbon dioxide > and sulphur dioxide – laced with evaporated heavy metals, including lead and
> arsenic. To the communities living alongside volcanoes, these gases are often a
> considerable source of air pollution and the volatile metals they carry may have
> long-lasting impacts on both health and environment.

It's probably best to secure them from being picked up by little hands as they tend to put items (especially their dirty fingers) back in their mouths.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2022-08-01. Score: 2

This won't be a problem if you store it properly.
**Make sure it's away from your children..**

* If it's exposed to the skin it can cause itching
* If it's consumed it can cause diarrhea

I suggest you to save it in a jar


---

