The secret Cold War bioweapons test that exposed millions in the Bay Area
bcaulfield
21 points
4 comments
September 22, 2026
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Discussion Highlights (2 comments)
hyperific
Read about this in Judith Miller's Germs: Biological Weapons and America's Secret War. The bacterial species released was Serratia marcescens. If you've ever seen a pinkish build up in your shower these bacteria are to blame. Normally doesn't affect healthy people but people with compromised immune systems aren't so lucky. Operation Sea-Spray was the US Army operation that dispersed S. marcescens over SF. The Army has done similar tests with Bacillus globigii and even carcinogenic chemicals.
JoeBOFH
I actually learned about this on Notgabbyb‘s YouTube channel. It’s insane what we learn about and then somehow don’t riot on.