When Biological Weapons Were Secretly Tested in San Francisco

Podcast: Bay Curious (LS 57 · TOP 0.5% what is this?)
Episode: When Biological Weapons Were Secretly Tested in San Francisco
Pub date: 2025-11-06

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In 1950, the U.S. military sprayed bacteria over San Francisco as part of a biological weapons test. The test team thought the bacteria it used was harmless, but several people got sick and one person died. We explore the history and impacts of this clandestine operation, now known as Operation Seaspray, on U.S. military policy and one man's family.

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• The True Story of the Military's Secret 1950 San Francisco Biological Weapons Test
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This story was reported by Katherine Monahan. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.

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