Drinking water across the United States is heavily contaminated with fluorinated 'forever chemicals' at levels far higher than previously thought, according to a new study.

A wide variety of mainstream news outlets have cited a new report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) which found concentrations of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminants in water supplies at all but one out of 44 locations tested.

"New laboratory tests commissioned by EWG have for the first time found the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS in the drinking water of dozens of U.S. cities, including major metropolitan areas," the report states.

"The results confirm that the number of Americans exposed to PFAS from contaminated tap water has been dramatically underestimated by previous studies, both from the Environmental Protection Agency and EWG's own research."