How Wetlands May Offer a Natural Pathway for PFAS Biodegradation and Why Awareness Matters More Than Ever

For most people, water is something that simply arrives at the tap. It is assumed to be safe, regulated, and protected by the systems designed to oversee public health. Yet research over the past several decades has increasingly examined a group of manufactured compounds called PFAS, sometimes referred to informally as “forever chemicals,” because of how resistant they are to breakdown. Despite this growing scientific attention, awareness among the general public remains extremely low, says Ray Goldsby, CEO of Wetland Extent Landward. “So we are starting at a point where the majority of people are not aware this health issue exists at all,” he adds.

PFAS have been used for over 80 years in industrial processes and in everyday goods such as coatings, packaging, and household products. Because they do not naturally degrade, over time, they have contaminated soil, water, and ecological systems. Researchers have studied the ways PFAS may travel and accumulate in the environment, and in recent years, several regulatory bodies have updated health advisories and reviewed thresholds related to PFAS presence in drinking water. “Over 40% of potable water delivered to communities in the U.S. contains measurable levels of PFAS,” Goldsby explains, referencing ongoing monitoring and testing protocols. “If it’s in the water, then people are being exposed regularly.”

Exposure, however, is only one part of what concerns Goldsby. PFAS are structurally stable, meaning the human body does not readily break them down. The scientific community continues to study potential links between PFAS accumulation and various health outcomes. Research has explored associations between PFAS exposure and areas such as thyroid function, immune response, cancer, and developmental biology. In recent studies, scientists have also examined possible relationships between maternal PFAS levels during pregnancy and early neurodevelopment. Goldsby notes that while research continues to evolve, the central challenge is that these compounds persist. “Once they are in the body, they don’t leave. They stay. That’s why awareness matters,” he says.

Goldsby’s work focuses on wetlands, ecosystems long known for their ecological value, but also increasingly recognized for their biochemical role in water quality. In Florida, wetlands make up a substantial portion of the landscape, yet many have experienced reductions in protection over time. “A significant portion of wetlands in certain regions are what we call isolated wetlands,” he explains. “But isolated doesn’t mean unimportant. Wetlands clean water naturally.”

Through his initiative, Just Add Wetlands (JAW), Goldsby is working to expand constructed and restored wetlands as part of water management and environmental enhancement projects. JAW aims to provide on-site approaches that may support the remediation of forever chemicals. His goal is to demonstrate how wetlands can contribute to PFAS breakdown through naturally occurring hydric soil chemical reactions, microbial, and biochemical processes.

To understand this process, he believes it is important to include the science behind redox reactions, which are central to PFAS degradation. According to Goldsby, a cost-effective and productive remediation of PFAS is through redox chemical reactions. “Redox” is a portmanteau derived from the terms reduction and oxidation, first introduced in 1928 to describe a paired chemical process. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons by a substance, while reduction describes the gain of electrons. As Goldsby explains, each process on its own is known as a half-reaction, because oxidation and reduction are inseparable and always occur simultaneously to complete a full chemical reaction. For a redox reaction to take place, he further notes that the surrounding environment must be moist and capable of shifting between aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

This scientific foundation is exactly what informs current research. Goldsby says, “Recent scientific studies provide evidence of PFAS molecular degradation. Today’s knowledge is being applied to create a scientific methodology to get rid of PFAS; nature has a strategy for a solution. Wetlands don’t simply hold onto these pollutants; natural processes within them can contribute to their degradation.” He emphasizes that this process can yield non-toxic byproducts, rather than simply transferring the material from one location to another. “Other methods may filter or burn PFAS, but those processes can still result in a hazardous byproduct. With wetlands, the breakdown products may be far less harmful. That’s the key difference,” he adds.

Goldsby is directing outreach toward private clubs, landowners, and organizations positioned to support environmental initiatives. His message is centered on stewardship, particularly among groups who may be in a position to influence community investment. “Everyone depends on clean water,” he says. “It’s not political or ideological, it’s universal.” His aim is not only to build wetland systems, but to widen public understanding of PFAS and how water systems interact with daily life. “People can’t act on what they don’t know,” he says. “Once someone learns what PFAS are and how widespread they are, they understand why this matters.”

For Goldsby, the work is urgent, but the tone remains pragmatic. “This is not about panic,” he says. “It’s about awareness and action. There is something that can be done, and it starts with understanding the role wetlands can play.”

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.