Nerve gas vs Zombies?

Nerve gas-no, they don't breathe
radiation-depends on exposure amount
chemicals-corrosive ones would probably work
the elements-sure over time, unless your talking about the periodic table, then we may have to discuss them individually
lye-definately get a few hit points out of it. (any strong acid or base (like lye), would depend on concentration
ya know, molarity and all that crap!
jmo

Right.. Nerve gas would not have an effect. Radiation would have to be a huge amount (i would think), Chemicals, Anything that breaks down human tissue, I think would have an effect.

I wonder what a huge amount of salt would do.

One other thing to consider is the method by which the zombies have become zombies.

Virus, magic, etc.  Different things to different effects.

Also, even though these effects will damage/render the zom inoperable, the zom will still keep going as it won't "feel" those effects.

Radiation, chemicals, lye, and anything else like that will destroy tissue and body parts until the point in which the zom no longer has any motor capabilities, but it may not necessarily complete destroy the zom until the "brain" has been destroyed.  

Hehehehe

Really what it all breaks down to; how do they operate? 

We know they feel no pain that's a given but what do they use to move? One would think that they some how use the CNS with their now twisted brains, but in WWZ they tried with nerve gas at Yonkers and we all know the undead still flowed over their defenses. It doesn't seem that we can rely on our technology this time guys. About the decomposition, yes they will decompose but most of those essential cadaver eating bacteria shy away from the infected.

For more info I suggest The Zombie Survival Guide...if I'm saying common knowledge just stop me, lol

I agree, it does matter how they were re-animated. For nerve gas to work you need some working nerves! Then  there's the question of how the poison was designed to act. Those meant to poison by inhalation might be useless. However, there are those designed for skin contact. If the nerves are still working it might make the zombies drop and twitch.
Radiation I don't know about. I believe it disables by destroying the cell's nucleus or ionizing the chemicals succeptable to it in the body. Of course, if you have enough microwaves you could excite any remaining water until the zombie bakes undead.
I see no reason for zombies to be immune to chemicals that destroy flesh. However, I doubt simple irritants would be effective. Window glass cleaner in the eyes probably would not help. A can of drano might.
As for the elements, given time they reduce anything. However, there is one part of nature that would put an end to many a zombie. That is the humble coyote! They would learn quickly enough that dead humans don't use guns. They also scavage carrion. Look for lots of fat, happy, coyotes. After awhile, the carrion eaters would rule the world.

The newly reanimated Rupert stumbled toward the snarling, snapping creature that danced just beyond his reach. He never saw the coyote's mate that came from behind and ripped out his achilles tendon. The loss of the tendon sent him sprawling on the ground. Once he was down, both coyotes went for the hands, biting and ripping until the appendages flailed uselessly. Then, avoiding his mouth, they settled down to dine on his bulging entrails. They coyotes were happy! Hunting had never been so easy, and there were the pups to feed:)

Problem with using chemicals is to destroy them would include a bit of danger on the living as well. First you have to deliver said chemical to the undead heading your way. Now if you can drop it from a plane your set but if you have to deliver it by hand or weapon then you need to deal with blowback issues that can screw you as much as them. 
Radiation falls into this category as well. Sure nuking the crap out of them might work for a bit but once the fallout starts things are screwed in that area for a rather long time. Then you also need to consider if the radiation doesn't knock them out quick you'll end up with a roving bad of radioactive critters that can just stand outside the fence of your compound and dose you with their radiation. So there you are, inside looking out and thinking how safe you are until your hair starts falling out.

Ok, time for me to jump in. Nerve gas doesn't need to be inhaled to have an effect. Take mustard gas for instance. When is contacts the skin it begins to eat it away and form boils. Even though the zombie may not feel the pain of such, it will still be inhibited by the reaction to the mustard gas. (Or most lethal chemical gasses.) It would increase the degeneration of the zomb's tissues thus making them slower.

So, in the zombie survival kit should be a gas mask, a rubber suit (so chemicals stay off your skin), and some nice mustard gas. I think you might be able to find that at your local walmart.

Ok, time for me to jump in. Nerve gas doesn't need to be inhaled to have an effect. Take mustard gas for instance. When is contacts the skin it begins to eat it away and form boils. Even though the zombie may not feel the pain of such, it will still be inhibited by the reaction to the mustard gas. (Or most lethal chemical gasses.) It would increase the degeneration of the zomb's tissues thus making them slower.

-dr-pus

A true nerve gas might not do too much to a zombie... The way most of them do their business to my understanding is by metabolizing in the body and paralyzing the nervous system through that reaction. Although, I'm no expert, that's my understanding.

However, you are right. Most chemical warfare gases (whether it be chlorine or mustard, etc.) does cause extreme irritation and in some cases corrosion of tissue.

So, in the zombie survival kit should be a gas mask, a rubber suit (so chemicals stay off your skin), and some nice mustard gas. I think you might be able to find that at your local walmart.

-miked

I've actually got all those at home... Except mustard gas. But you can make something similar by mixing household bleach and amonia.

we have a army surplus near by. plus I have a respirator from work with charcoal filters.

This is an enlightening conversation.  I can see the use of certain weapons being authorized.  Any of you that have read or listened to my first novel will be aware that I hate wearing those nuclear/biological/chemical suits from my army days.  We were forced to train with them on over and over again.  It left little doubt in my mind that we expected to fight someone who would use them against us, and the other possible scenario was never far from my mind:  Maybe we would use one of those types of weapons on someone else and have to protect ourselves afterwards. 
As the Indian Chief said in 'the Outlaw Josey Wales':  "Watch out, little lady, hell is coming for breakfast."

This is an enlightening conversation.  I can see the use of certain weapons being authorized.  Any of you that have read or listened to my first novel will be aware that I hate wearing those nuclear/biological/chemical suits from my army days.  We were forced to train with them on over and over again.  It left little doubt in my mind that we expected to fight someone who would use them against us, and the other possible scenario was never far from my mind:  Maybe we would use one of those types of weapons on someone else and have to protect ourselves afterwards. 
As the Indian Chief said in 'the Outlaw Josey Wales':  "Watch out, little lady, hell is coming for breakfast."

Hey Stephen, that was Chief Dan George, my husband knew him, Jim was friends with his nephew!

I wish I knew Dan George!  Seemed like a helluva good guy.  Funny too!  I bet his nephew is a good guy too, especially since he's friends with your husband.
(Sorry, but I give high accollades to anyone you love, whether I know them or not)
Cool story.

This is an enlightening conversation.  I can see the use of certain weapons being authorized.  Any of you that have read or listened to my first novel will be aware that I hate wearing those nuclear/biological/chemical suits from my army days.  We were forced to train with them on over and over again.  It left little doubt in my mind that we expected to fight someone who would use them against us, and the other possible scenario was never far from my mind:  Maybe we would use one of those types of weapons on someone else and have to protect ourselves afterwards. 
As the Indian Chief said in 'the Outlaw Josey Wales':  "Watch out, little lady, hell is coming for breakfast."

-stephennorth

The chem suit I've worn was kinda fun. But I can see how it'd get to be rather obnoxios to have to run or do anything particularly active in it...

The chem suit I've worn was kinda fun. But I can see how it'd get to be rather obnoxious to have to run or do anything particularly active in it...

-comradebob

I was going to say 'No' to the idea of using Nerve Gas to combat zombies and the more I was dwelling on it, I convinced myself that I read a story recently where the author had a jet drop gas to kill zombies.  I looked through a bunch of my books, but I couldn't find the story.

If someone has done it, then I'm thinking anything goes if you are the one who makes the rules.  Isn't that the golden rule of apocalyptic horror?  The one with the golden can opener makes the rules? :)

-nr

As the Indian Chief said in 'the Outlaw Josey Wales':  "Watch out, little lady, hell is coming for breakfast."

-stephennorth

He also said, I'm gettin' better at sneaking up on you like this. Only an Indian can do something like this.

Remember how that turned out?  Don't look now, I'm sneaking up behind you.  TeeHee!

Sorry for the Off Topic bits!

-nr