Fight for Zero's Work & Accomplishments

Harness the Power of Activism

Fight for Zero is a community organization devoted to promoting environmental health. We strive to inspire and empower individuals, communities, and businesses to take action to protect the environment. We are driven by the belief that everyone has a role in creating a better future. We work with national and regional allies to share resources, best practices and facilitate collaboration. Together, we are determined to fight for zero environmental harm.

Patrick Air Force base water contamination in Florida.jpg

A 2018 Department of Defense report showed PFAS contamination at several active installations in Brevard County, including the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and Patrick Air Force Base. Patrick AFB had the nation's third highest levels of PFAS found at 4.3 million ppt in groundwater. Fight for Zero hosted several community town hall meetings, including one with Erin Brockovich, regarding water quality and health concerns. The organization assisted in gathering crucial health data that resulted in a state health assessment that showed a statistically significant higher cancer rate in two zip codes in Brevard County.

Cancer survivors from Satellite High School united with nationally recognized advocate Stel Bailey to form the nonprofit, Fight for Zero, fighting for zero cancer through prevention and stopping pollution sources.

Advocates successfully received federal funding through the NDAA for contamination cleanup. They testified before Congress in Washington, DC, regarding the adverse impacts of the military's contamination on service members, their families, and the surrounding communities. Fight for Zero brought statewide awareness of PFAS chemicals and continues to share education on the health effects of toxic exposures.

South Patrick Shores Cancer Cluster and Military Dump Site

Independent research using historical documents indicated that the Department of Defense used the South Patrick Shores and Satellite Beach area as a landfill, covered it with dirt, and eventually, a developer bought the land and built homes on top. Fight for Zero spent 21 days going door-to-door in a year-long investigation into buried debris and disease cluster concerns. Volunteers metal detected yards and uncovered trash ranging from burnt rounds, vintage coca cola bottles, and airplane and jeep parts; using social media, photography, and video to document the investigation, the dedicated work of Fight for Zero volunteers' brought awareness to a decades-long issue of health concerns, possible vapor intrusion into homes, and contamination of wells in the area.

Fight For Zero was honored as the story of the year and featured on the front cover of the December 2018 Florida Today issue and was successful in getting a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) investigation and designation in South Patrick Shores after going to Washington, DC in early 2019 to share data and findings.

Lead Pipes & Drinking Water Quality Concerns in Florida Schools

Fight for Zero volunteers submitted public record requests to 67 school districts and 42 colleges as a statewide survey to see what schools in Florida were testing their drinking water after learning that Florida had more lead pipes than any other state. The project took six months to complete and brought awareness to the districts taking preventative steps to ensure children were drinking safe water. Fight For Zero carefully organized the project using spreadsheets, using a professional email explicitly for the requests, and connecting with a FOIA specialist who helped navigate legal disputes.

We learned that some counties hadn't tested their drinking water in decades, and a few schools were taking preventative steps to ensure kids were not drinking lead-tainted water. This project inspired moms within our organization to raise funds to install filtered water fountains in their children's schools. Fight for Zero emphasizes the importance of protecting children from harmful chemicals and encourages school districts and parents to take proactive measures to safeguard children's health.

Brevard County Drinking Water PFAS contamination.jpg

A grant-funded project to help Fight for Zero collect data on PFAS contamination in Brevard County, Florida, drinking water. Citizen scientist volunteers tested drinking water fountains across Brevard County for 45 PFAS compounds. PFAS do not easily break down in the environment and are linked to debilitating health issues.

The chemicals were detected at Sandpoint Park in Titusville, Howard E. Futch Memorial Park in Melbourne, and Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay. There were also six short-chain chemicals detected.

Fight For Zero urges residents to use filtration systems that remove harmful contaminants from their drinking water and for cities to publicize their drinking water results not shared in the annual drinking water quality reports. To review the testing visit: Brevard County PFAS Fountain Project.

Study on How Flooding Distributes PFAS Chemicals in Florida

Fight for Zero partnered with researchers from the University of Florida in a community-driven 3-year study in Brevard County on Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other contaminants to help build resilience to environmental contamination in the face of flooding and hurricane risks.

The team consists of environmental health and environmental engineering experts from the University of Florida (UF) and community members. This study will help communities understand PFAS contamination health risks and prevent exposures.

The data and information from this study will allow the UF team to develop comprehensive approaches for environmental protection, emergency management, and exposure mitigation to build healthy and environmentally resilient communities beyond the case study area.

PFAS health guidance stel bailey academy of sciences.jpg

Fight for Zero Executive Director, Stel Bailey, was invited to be a community liaison for the National Academy of Sciences to give input in their physician guidance on reducing patient exposure to PFAS chemicals. Fight for Zero has been hard at work to educate Florida communities about PFAS chemicals since the publication of the Department of Defense 2018 report. Bailey provided helpful insight into the perspective and experiences of PFAS exposure, testing, and clinical follow-up.

Polluters knew PFAS were dangerous for decades but hid the risk from the public. As far back as 1950, studies by the makers of PFAS showed that the chemicals could build up in the blood, and by the 60s knew it posed health risks but kept the studies secret for decades. Very low doses of PFAS in drinking water have been linked to suppression of the immune system, harm to the reproductive system, and increased risk of certain cancers.

The months-long seminars included discussions on PFAS contamination and routes of exposure, environmental justice, medical interventions to reduce PFAS body burden, criteria for screening, PFAS-associated health outcomes, testing and clinical follow-up, and environmental health education.

Featured on the Brockovich Report, Fight for Zero hosted several community town hall meetings regarding water quality and health concerns, including one with Erin Brockovich in Brevard County in 2018. The organization continues to work with Brockovich's team to combat environmental issues plaguing Florida communities. The Brockovich Report and social media highlight chlorine dosing of water systems, harmful algal blooms, removal of fluoride from drinking water, PFAS contamination at DoD sites, cancer cluster concerns in Brevard County, Executive Director Stel Bailey's independent work in Washington DC, and the fight for zero's story.

manatee bone graveyard unusual mortality event

In January 2021, Fight for Zero volunteers began documenting through photo and video footage deceased manatees washing ashore in the northern Indian River Lagoon. Their investigation uncovered an island where manatee carcasses were disposed of, serving as a graveyard. The discovery of the manatee graveyard brought national outrage and attention to the hundreds of manatee deaths and water quality crises unfolding in the national estuary of significance.

Volunteers assisted in recording and reporting distressed manatees in the lagoon and collaborated with Edgewater Environmental Alliance, Bear Warriors United, and other Florida advocates to bring national awareness to the heightened number of manatee deaths, which resulted in an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) designation.

Executive Director Stel Bailey filled 200 jars with muck and Indian River Lagoon water from a site in Titusville, Florida, where over 7.2 million gallons of sewage spilled and where manatees washed ashore emancipated and gave the jars to environmentalist Katrina Shadix, who delivered them to Tallahassee legislators. The jar project ended with legislators providing 8 million dollars to Florida Fish and Wildlife in June of 2021 to help restore habitat areas important to manatees.

Not for profit fight for zero pollution and cancer in United States

Fight for Zero partners with other organizations and agencies nationwide to create a national team that works together to achieve our vision and advocate for implementing policies and initiatives to help protect our environment for future generations.

Executive Director Stel Bailey works as a the Co-Facilitator of the National PFAS Contamination Coalition and collaborates with other organizations, including ORCA, EWG, NRDC, Sierra Club, Earthjustice, Breast Cancer Action, The Right to Clean Water, Safer EPA and other impacted communities. She is also partnered with numerous academic institutions and has collaborated with multiple federal agencies to promote environmental health and community engagement.

testing my drinking water florida and united states

Testing and filtration of water is an integral part of environmental health. Fight for Zero's testing projects have assisted families in identifying potential problems before they become serious risks. Fight for Zero has supported dozens of families in reducing harmful exposures and protecting their health by providing filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis and activated carbon, and educating communities about toxic contaminates in their environment.

Testing can provide information about harmful algal blooms, sewage, carcinogenic chemicals, and other toxic exposures that can cause health risks and help communities better protect themselves. Fight for Zero has numerous projects on the website, along with shared data and mapping.

Fight for Zero Stel Bailey documentaries

Committed to educating the public about the impact of environmental health on their lives, Fight for Zero volunteers have focused on various film projects to help spread awareness and inspire people to take action. Our film projects provide knowledge on PFAS contamination, DoD pollution, habitat destruction, personal battles with life-altering diseases, advocacy, and numerous other topics. Through these projects, we strive to engage viewers in meaningful conversations about the environment and how to protect it. Our film projects empower viewers to make positive changes in their lives and those around them.

Cancer clusters and disease rates in Florida

Environmental health data can provide an important tool for disease prevention and early detection policy changes. Health data can help identify health trends, disparities, and hotspots. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of interventions and inform public health policy. Additionally, health data can be used to target areas where disease prevention and early detection can be improved to reduce the burden of chronic diseases. By leveraging health data, environmental health professionals can work to ensure the safety and well-being of their communities.

Fight for Zero's crowdsourced health data has helped obtain two state health studies, a Formerly Used Defense Site designation, a closer look at PFAS exposures, and give elected representatives a visual of disease rates in communities impacted by DoD and other toxic exposures. These projects aim to reduce community disease burden and improve public health.

closer to zero harmful chemicals in drinking water, food, and lakes

Executive Director Stel Bailey spent years fighting for zero PFAS in drinking water and had the honor of attending the 2022 EPA news conference in Wilmington, North Carolina, where the EPA announced that it was proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard to limit six per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The proposal would be one of the first new chemical standards to update the Safe Drinking Water Act since 1996.

The standards were much stricter than what the EPA suggested in 2016 when its health advisories for PFAS in drinking water were 70 ppt. The agency admitted that the chemicals were more hazardous to human health than scientists initially thought, and the new proposed rule identifies a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4 ppt for PFOA.

Bailey's relentless advocacy in Brevard County, where the nation's third highest levels of PFAS chemicals were detected, was met with an adversary by government officials. Her family received threatening mailers, had their civil rights violated, and had to fight against aggressive campaigns to damage their reputation while working to bring awareness to the contamination on Florida's space coast. Bailey became one of the nation's leading environmental health advocates through her unwavering tenacity and dedicated years of independent research, work, and collaboration with professionals.

The Advocates Voice is an online publication and podcast project launched in 2019 to empower activists by giving them a platform to share their voices. Our reach quickly grew to 60,000 supporters by 2020, allowing our writers and live streams to reach a broad and diverse audience.

The online publication covers various topics, from current events to personal stories, while our podcasts provide an in-depth look at the issues that matter to them. We strive to provide a space for supporters to express their opinions, share their stories, and be heard. We want to create an open, inclusive dialogue through our online publication to help make positive change.

stopping the sources of pollution in Florida waterways

Focusing on healthy ecosystems, we strive to improve the environment by planting wildflower gardens, organizing litter pickups, collecting environmental data, helping agencies monitor wildlife and water quality, sharing resources, supporting projects that stop sources of pollution, and hosting workshops. Fight for Zero also works with families impacted by life-altering diseases by delivering care packages, providing filters to reduce toxic exposures, navigating the healthcare system, and supporting them through diagnoses and end-of-life stages.

We believe in the power of a collective community to make a difference and create positive change.

Our annual outdoor retreat is an incredible opportunity for impacted community leaders to come together and connect with nature. Camping, hiking, kayaking, and brainstorming around the campfire are just some activities for participants to enjoy. The retreat allows impacted community leaders to unplug from the world and reconnect with their natural environment. Participants also engage in meaningful conversations and activities to help them build solid connections and foster a deeper appreciation of the environment. The annual retreat has activities and discussions that leave volunteers feeling refreshed and inspired.

Fight for Zero's dedicated professionals

Fight for Zero's team is comprised of dedicated professionals with a wide range of expertise in public health, environmental science, and policy. Our mission is to ensure everyone has access to clean air, water, and food and to empower communities to be informed and engaged in their environmental health. To achieve this, we work with experts in various fields to help us meet our goals. Our team of experts includes scientists, geologists, doctors, veterinarians, biologists, epidemiologists, toxicologists, attorneys, and other specialists who have the necessary knowledge and experience to help us reach our objectives. We are proud of our team of experts and are confident that their expertise and dedication to environmental health is making a positive impact on our community.

Our research team is dedicated to uncovering the truth about environmental health issues. We use various research methods, including archived newspapers, public record requests, surveys, data analysis, literature review, interviews, and observation. We strive to uncover information that can help inform the public about the impacts of environmental health. We also conduct interviews with experts and stakeholders to understand the issue better. Our research projects are designed to provide the public with the most up-to-date and accurate information about environmental health. By providing this information, we can help create a healthier and safer world.

Toxic exposures in the military during service

The Department of Defense is responsible for various toxic exposures veterans suffer. These exposures can include hazardous chemicals, radiation, and other hazardous materials. Veterans can be exposed to these substances while serving in the military, during exercises, and through construction projects. Department of Defense pollution can also cause adverse health effects, such as long-term health problems. It is important for veterans to understand the risks associated with military toxic exposures and to take steps to protect their health. Fight for Zero deeply understands the effects of toxic exposures and Department of Defense pollution and is dedicated to serving military families who have been affected by elevating their voices, assisting them in navigating civic engagement, and standing alongside them to fight for justice and accountability.

Protecting crops and food from PFAS exposure in Florida

Sustainable farming and gardening is an essential part of environmental health. It involves practices that support the health of the land, the people who work it, and the communities that rely on it. By encouraging a self-sufficient and sustainable approach to farming and gardening, our environment can benefit from improved soil health, water conservation, and a reduced need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Sustainable farming and gardening practices can also help to reduce air and water pollution while providing high-quality, healthy, and delicious food for our families. Committing to sustainable farming and gardening, we can help create a healthier future for generations to come.

Accomplishments

Committee Liaison for Guidance on PFAS testing and health outcomes with the National Academies of Sciences
Awarded a three-year PFAS Exposure Study grant with UF in 2020.
Worked with ATSDR for chronic stress training guidance
Community input to the EPA, DoD, ATSDR, CDC, and white house staff on PFAS contamination
Speaking Engagements: 3rd National PFAS conference at North Carolina State University, Rollins College 15th Annual Summit, Environmental Working Group (EWG) inaugural PFAS conference, Central Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (CFAEP) Conference, SAFE EPA event in Washington DC, 2022
Manatee Unusual Mortality Event designation 2021
Earned a "seat at the table" in the first EPA summit on PFAS and organized to drive the agenda at local EPA summits on PFAS across the country
4,500 grassroots members
Launched The Advocates Voice with 60,000 supporters
Indian River Lagoon Fish Survey 2021

Education

Converging on Cancer Workshop with the National Toxicology Program
Exploring Pathology Fish Dissection Training
Geosyntec PFAS Webinar Series
Wildlife Monitoring UF/IFAS
Advancing the Collection & Analysis of PFAS in Blood Webinar with TestAmerica
ArcGIS Online Training Course
Bachelor of Science in environmental science at Southern New Hampshire University
PFAS Analytical Methods and Sampling Training
Water quality field sampling using EPA-certified methods
Collect and prepare soil samples for lab analysis of VOCs, SVOCs, PFAS, and heavy metals.
Conduct surface water sampling for algal toxin analysis.
Sample counts of manatees in specified blocks at warm water aggregation sites.
Identify native and invasive species.
Make field observations and record data, including water conditions, coordinates, etc.
Compose and consult on science communications where research of peer-reviewed articles are required.

Projects

Education & Awareness Projects: The Advocates Voice + Podcast, films, advocate workshops, national toxic series, community meetings & conferences.
The Timeline Project Historical research into pollution and disease clusters.
Testing Projects: Drinking water, groundwater, surface water, soil, sand, foam, fish, agriculture, etc.
Investigations: Disease cluster rates, FUD sites, phosphate mining impacts, Manatee UME, school safety, DoD & legacy contamination, sewage pollution, & harmful bacteria.
Mapping Projects: Cancer and autoimmune data, PFAS contamination, FUDS properties, Superfunds, and more to come.
Closer to Zero Projects: Planting more to uptake pollution, supporting initiatives to stop pollution sources, litter cleanups, and assisting other organizations in projects.

A Voice

EPA listed PFOA & PFOS as Hazardous Substances under CERCLA 2022
Passed TRI reporting and sued EPA in federal court to force the agency to close illegal loophole that let chemical plants and military bases across the United States a voice in disclosing their PFAS emissions into the environment
Filed motion to intervene for PFOA/PFOS health advisories
Released the disclosure of hidden documents on PFAS chemicals admitting there were significantly more toxic than previously portrayed
Got 29 more PFAS tested in the UCMR5
Drinking water health advisory levels changed to PFOS at .004 ppt and PFOS at .02 ppt in 2022
$20 million through NDAA for a national multi-site health study of PFAS
$500 million for cleaning of DOD sites through the 2022 NDAA and $168 million in 2021
$10 billion for PFAS Communities in the Infrastructure package
PFAS Action Act 2021 (federal)
Six introduced PFAS bills in 2022 Florida legislation.

Featured

Story of the 2018 year and published on the Sunday front cover of Florida Today for work done in South Patrick Shores and Satellite Beach, Florida
In the Media: Brockovich Report, The Guardian, Fox News, Fox35, Hometown News, Click Orlando, News 13, PBS, Spectrum 9, American University Radio, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, NPR, Yahoo, US News, Fox 13 Seattle, WLRN Sundial Radio, CBS News, Eco Watch, AP News, Capital Public Radio, Space Coast Daily, Okinawa TV in Japan, & podcasts.
Documentaries: Phosfate, Forever in Florida, Humanatee, Toxicities, Cancer Alley, No Defense
Participation: ORCA, Safer EPA, Academy of Sciences, National PFAS Contamination Coalition, University of Florida, The Right to Clean Water, Volusia Wildlife Corridor, Community Action Works, Breast Cancer Action
Awards: Voice for the Environment 2022

Continued Goals

Transform yards into eco-lawns to eliminate the need for fertilizers while creating food sources, pollinator habitats, and natural pollution filters.
Convert stormwater ponds to natural ecosystems by increasing native vegetation around the perimeter to encourage no-mow.
Continue funding test kits and water and air filters for families in need.
Work with local schools to develop water quality projects.
Meet with stakeholders to share scientific data and proposals on remediation alongside academic partners.
Continue collaborations on current projects with partners.
Deliver eco-care packages to families fighting life-altering diseases.
Education projects through podcasts, videography, photography, workshops, and outdoor activities
Publication of peer-reviewed study, manatee documentary, and podcast.
Furthering education through college classes, training, courses, and programs.