Advocates Take PFAS Fight to Washington, D.C., Urging Congressional Action on Toxic Chemical Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida advocate Stel Bailey joined community leaders from across the country and cast members of the documentary The Devil We Know in the nation’s capital to demand federal action on the growing PFAS contamination crisis affecting drinking water supplies nationwide.

Over the course of approximately 100 meetings, advocates educated lawmakers on the dangers of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and urged them to support nonpartisan policies to protect public health. Many members of Congress acknowledged the urgency of the issue and expressed interest in developing bipartisan solutions.

Congressional Hearings Spark Momentum

Coinciding with the advocacy campaign, the House Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a hearing on 13 PFAS-related policy proposals. Among them was a bill that would require the EPA Administrator to designate all PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under Superfund law (CERCLA)—a move that would enable federal funding and authority for cleanup efforts.

One of the most compelling testimonies came from Emily Marpe, a mother of three from New York whose family's drinking water was contaminated with PFAS.

Stel Bailey, Emily Marpe, and her daughter

“I lost myself. My kids lost their mom. I was consumed with PFOA. I couldn’t research enough,” she said tearfully. “The safety and security of our home fell from under our feet.” Her testimony helped lawmakers understand the devastating personal impact of exposure.

Florida’s Fight: From Local Tragedy to National Advocacy

Stel Bailey, a lifelong resident of Brevard County, Florida, grew up near three active military installations that used AFFF firefighting foam, a major source of PFAS pollution. In 2013, her uncle, brother, father, family dog—and Bailey herself—were all diagnosed with cancer. After discovering similar stories in her community, she began crowdsourcing health data and connecting with neighbors and classmates to uncover patterns of disease.

Bailey learned of the PFAS contamination in 2018, when a Department of Defense report revealed that Patrick Air Force Base had the third-highest PFAS levels detected in the nation. In response, she founded Fight for Zero, a nonpartisan grassroots organization committed to eliminating toxic exposures through education, advocacy, and independent testing.

Her team’s testing revealed harmful contaminants in canals, rivers, wells, and even traces of PFBA in local drinking water. Bailey continues to campaign on behalf of military families, children, and vulnerable communities, pushing for stronger protections and increased transparency.

A Call for Federal Leadership

While some states are taking action—banning PFAS in firefighting foam, restricting use in consumer goods like cookware, and setting enforceable limits for drinking water—advocates argue that federal leadership is critical. The recent advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., highlighted the urgent need for national regulation and support.

“This isn’t just about environmental protection—it’s about protecting families, homes, and futures,” Bailey said. “We need Congress to act before more lives are affected.”

fight4zero@gmail.com