If you’re drinking water directly from the tap, there’s a chance it contains potentially harmful “forever chemicals,” according to a study released Wednesday by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). 

The study found that 45% of the tap water in the United States likely contains at least one “forever chemical,” also known as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). The chemicals are believed to possibly cause numerous health problems in humans, including increased cancer risk, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

“USGS scientists tested water collected directly from people’s kitchen sinks across the nation, providing the most comprehensive study to date on PFAS in tap water from both private wells and public supplies,” Kelly Smalling, USGS research hydrologist and lead author of the study, said.

“The study estimates that at least one type of PFAS — of those that were monitored — could be present in nearly half of the tap water in the U.S. Furthermore, PFAS concentrations were similar between public supplies and private wells,” Smalling added. 

At least 45% of the nation’s tap water could have one or more types of the chemicals known as #PFAS, according to a new USGS study. This study is the first to analyze PFAS in tap water from both private and public supplies broadly throughout the US. #water https://t.co/S2WteG9R26 pic.twitter.com/zz85IqZwni

— USGS (@USGS) July 5, 2023

The USGS explains that forever chemicals are synthetic and used in various everyday items, including nonstick pots and pans and fast food box linings. Other products that can contain PFAS include shampoo, nail polish, candy wrappers, pizza boxes, and microwave popcorn bags, according to the CDC. Even products for babies are not immune from forever chemicals — they have been detected in clothing, toys, and bedding, the Daily Mail reports.  

Of the more than 12,000 different types of PFAS, the USGS only monitored 32 because many forever chemicals cannot be detected with tests available today, the government agency explained. They are referred to as “forever chemicals” because of the prolonged period of time they take to break down. 

As for the most commonly found forever chemicals detected, the USGS says PFOs, PFBS, PFHxS, and PFOA appeared regularly. 

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Americans who live in urban areas are more likely to encounter PFAS in drinking water, the study says. PFAS exposure was higher in the Great Plains, Great Lakes region, Central and Southern California, and the Eastern Seaboard. During the research, which the USGS says is the first study of its kind, tap water samples were tested at 716 locations “representing a range of low, medium and high human-impacted areas.” 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, forever chemicals “may lead to” decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, behavioral changes, accelerated puberty, hormonal interference, decreased immune response, and increased risk of obesity, among other potential health effects. 

“PFAS can get into drinking water when products or wastes containing them are disposed of, used or spilled onto the ground or into lakes and rivers,” the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team website notes. “PFAS move easily through the ground, getting into groundwater that is used for some water supplies or for private drinking water wells.”

As fans count down the days until the premiere of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” movie, the director explained why she totally shut down the suggestion of using CGI for one important moment in the film.

The fantasy comedy film starring Margot Robbie includes a scene depicting Barbie taking off her shoes and still having an exaggerated arched foot just like the plastic doll. Gerwig said the high arch is all real.

“There was a big discussion in the beginning,” Gerwig said during a discussion on the Australian talk show “The Project,” per Entertainment Weekly. “Everyone said, ‘Are you going to CGI all the feet?’ And I thought, ‘Oh God, no! That’s terrifying! That’s a nightmare.'”

“Also, Margot has the nicest feet. She has these beautiful dancer feet. I was like, ‘She should just hang onto that bar and do it just like this,'” she said.

Robbie previously discussed the foot shots, saying she held onto a bar to keep her feet arched so dramatically. “I really don’t like it when someone else does my hands or feet in an insert shot,” the actress told Time during a June interview, explaining that it took her eight takes to get the perfect shot that’s featured in the trailer.

Robbie’s body double, Emma Eastwood, was a stand-in for some of the more tedious foot shots, saying she had to walk up a set of stairs acting like her feet hurt and lie facedown on the ground for an hour. Eastwood confirmed that plot details were kept secret even from the actors themselves. 

“They didn’t give me any details of what we would be doing. There were a couple times they said the whole cast would be there and it would be an important day, but they never actually gave me any details of what we would be doing until I was on set,” she said, per CinemaBlend. 

While many details about “Barbie” are still under wraps, the basic plot is that Barbie and Ken (Ryan Gosling) are enjoying life in their fantasy dream world until they get a chance to visit reality and interact with humans. Hilarity and chaos ensue as they navigate a new reality. 

The “Barbie” movie hits theaters on July 21.