“Don’t Do That”: Woman’s Viral Stunt In Sewage-Filled Sea Foam Sparks Outrage

A teenager just went viral with a video of her daring stunt. Jumping into sewage-filled sea foam, Izabella Bower faced backlash for her recklessness.

The thick sea foam was left behind by the ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which had a severe effect on South East Queensland and New South Wales North Coast. 

A teenager’s video plunging into sewage-filled sea foam received backlash from viewers

Young woman taking a selfie, wearing a colorful top indoors, related to viral sea foam stunt controversy.

Image credits: bella.bower

In the TikTok video, which has since amassed over four million views, Bower is wearing a waterproof tracksuit as she stands on steps that lead down to the beach, and thick sea foam can be seen covering the water behind her. 

She then dives headfirst into the thick, murky sea foam and stays in the water for around eight seconds. She then gets out of the water with sticky foam covering her body, smiling for the camera. “Actually couldn’t breathe,” she wrote in the caption of her post. 

Online users shared their disgust beneath the post, with one saying, “Enjoy being sick”

Woman in dark jacket standing amidst sewage-filled sea foam near a railing.

Image credits: bella.bower

Sparking disgust and anger on social media, Bower’s video received backlash from viewers. “Sea foam is produced from sewer discharge into the ocean,” one user commented. “People will do anything for likes – enjoy being sick,” added another.

One user said, “Crazy that people don’t know what this foam is,” while another joked, “When you let your intrusive thoughts win.” 

Speaking to news.com.au, Bower said she “didn’t expect it to go viral,” and just posted the video as she thought it was “funny” and wanted her friends to see it.

A microbiologist called sea foam a “bacterial smoothie”

Woman performs stunt in sewage-filled sea foam, partially covered, amidst palm leaves, sparking outrage online.

Image credits: bella.bower

Associate Professor İpek Kurtböke, an environmental microbiologist at The University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, has cautioned locals about the sea foam, adding that it could contain more harmful pathogens than a sewage treatment plant. 

Speaking to News.com.au, she said, “People need to stay away from the sea foam completely if they want to avoid sickness.

“If they are playing in the sea foam, they may as well dive into a bacterial smoothie. It’s not just through an open wound that one can be infected, but breathing the aerosols is just as risky, so to stay safe, do not swim, play or breathe near it,” she added. 

Professor Kurtböke said sea foam contains dangerous bacteria that could lead to infections

Sea foam filled with sewage on a sandy beach.

Image credits: FRANCE 24 English

Kurtböke noted that sea foam contains dangerous bacteria that can lead to infections, especially in people with weaker immune systems, such as cancer and leukemia patients.

“These foams were proven to contain antibiotic resistant strains of Nocardiae as well, which is a group of bacteria known to cause infections in skin, lungs, brain and the central nervous system in humans and animals (e.g. fish),” she explained.

Professor Kurtböke added, “I am very concerned with people jumping into flood waters to play in the suburbs. Those waters bring so many other pollutants – not only microbes but fertilisers, chemicals… and so on.”

Sea foam is made of organic materials and saltwater

People playing in sewage-filled sea foam, sparking viral outrage.

Image credits: FRANCE 24 English

@bella.bower Actually couldn’t breathe #cyclone#cyclonealfred#fyp#foryou♬ original sound – wunderlandfilms

Sea foam is a bubbly layer that forms on the surface of oceans and large water bodies, mainly when seawater is stirred by wind, waves, and currents.

It occurs when organic materials such as algae and decaying sea life mix with saltwater, forming stabilizing substances like proteins and lipids in the process.

While mainly natural processes drive sea foam, pollution can enhance it. Contaminants from sewage and runoff may increase harmful microorganisms in the foam, affecting both marine life and human health. 

Online users reacted to Bower’s daring stunt in the shared video

Comment expressing concern over viral stunt in sewage-filled sea foam.

Comment about sourdough starter with 191 likes, related to viral stunt outrage.

Comment on viral sewage sea foam stunt: "girl we need an update," by user emily.

Comment on woman's viral sewage sea foam stunt, "She remembered that she has free will," with a heart icon and 3 likes.

Comment highlighting toxicity of sea foam in viral stunt discussion.

Comment criticizing viral stunt in sewage-filled sea foam for likes, with 5112 likes.

A comment on sewage sea foam, expressing it can be harmful and should be avoided.

Comment on woman's viral stunt in sewage-filled sea, with like count.

Comment questioning controversial sea foam stunt in viral video.

Comment cautioning about toxic sea foam, highlighting potential dangers.

Comment expressing outrage with "don't do that" about a viral stunt.

Social media comment reacting to viral sewage sea foam stunt, user Cheybabyxoxo replying.

Comment expressing excitement about a viral stunt amidst sea foam, receiving three likes.

Comment on viral sewage sea foam stunt, expressing calm and support for the woman involved.

Comment on viral sewage-filled sea foam stunt saying, "Guys just let her live" with user image and 63 likes.

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