New study finds PFAS "forever chemicals" in drinking water from 45% of faucets across U.S.

Almost half of the United States' tap water is estimated to have one or more "forever chemicals," known as PFAS, according to a new study.

The U.S. Geological Survey tested tap water from 716 locations, including 269 private wells and 447 public supply sites, in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. Data, which was collected from 2016 to 2021, found PFAS in at least 45% of the faucets, the study said.

The tests searched for the presence of 32 different per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. More than 12,000 types of PFAS exist, and these "forever chemicals" have been linked to a range of health problems, including certain forms of cancer. They persist in an environment for extended periods, hence their nickname, and have been widely used for decades. CBS News previously reported that research shows that more than 95% of Americans have "detectable levels" of PFAS in their blood.