There were 1090 cases of illuminating gas mentions in Lowell Sun from January 1, 1900, to December 31, 1960. This gas contains up to 30% carbon monoxide, which often poisons its victims.
Listed below is a small sample of this deadly gas’s effects on victims.
More to follow, below.
The chemical reaction which is produced by partially burning coke is the following:
2C + O2 goes to 2CO
or
two atoms of carbon plus one molecule of oxygen gas produce two molecules of carbon monoxide, a deadly gas.
Of course, the coke also contains some sulfur, which leads also to the production of sulfur gaseous bi-products., which complicates matters even more.