Over the course of more than 100 meetings, advocates pressed lawmakers to support independent efforts aimed at protecting public health rather than political interests. Many members of Congress acknowledged the urgency of the issue and expressed interest in advancing bipartisan policies to address PFAS contamination.
The House Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee held meetings and a hearing to review 13 proposed policies targeting PFAS regulation. Among them was a measure requiring the EPA administrator to classify all PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under the Superfund law — a step that would give the government authority to clean up contaminated sites using existing resources.
Emily Marpe, a mother of three from New York, delivered moving testimony about her family’s experience with PFAS exposure: “I lost myself, my kids lost their mom, and I was consumed with PFOA. I couldn’t research enough. I still attend meetings today; it is my job to protect my family. The safety and security of our home fell from under our feet.”
For Bailey, the issue is deeply personal. Growing up in Brevard County, Florida — home to three military bases that relied heavily on AFFF firefighting foam — she witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of PFAS contamination. Groundwater, soil, and drinking water throughout the county showed elevated levels of these toxic “forever chemicals.”
In 2013, cancer struck her family in waves: her uncle, father, brother, family dog, and Bailey herself all received diagnoses. A year later, she began collecting medical records and community health data from neighbors, classmates, and nearby towns, uncovering alarming patterns of disease.
This grassroots effort led her to establish Fight for Zero, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental health. Through independent testing of canals, rivers, wells, and drinking water, the group consistently found hazardous chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS.
During her trip to Washington, Bailey met with Congressman Bill Posey of Florida. She emphasized the importance of protecting children from toxic exposures and shared research mapping local cases of cancer and other illnesses.
Bailey also presented findings from Fight for Zero’s ongoing investigation in South Patrick Shores, a neighborhood built on what residents believe was once a military landfill. Using metal detectors, the team uncovered buried military debris, including plane parts, practice rounds, and even Coca-Cola bottles, beneath residential yards.
While federal action has been slow, some states are stepping up. They have moved to ban PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam and consumer products like cookware, while also establishing strict limits for PFAS in drinking water.
Still, national action is critical. The advocates’ visit to Washington underscored that PFAS contamination is not a local or isolated issue; it is a nationwide public health crisis.
Bailey’s message was clear: communities cannot wait any longer. The fight to regulate PFAS is about protecting families, safeguarding children, and ensuring that clean water is a right, not a privilege.
