EPA worries more about the mercury emissions from coal than sulfur.  AMS is 1/3 cheaper here anyway so I try to push that without moving the soil PH too much.  It has a very noticeable effect.  I tend to avoid it on onions though unless soil is severely deficient.

I would NOT want to live in a place like Beijing.  Many farms have been mining their soil for decades.  It is starting to catch up to many farmers who don't apply any manure.