How do Pennsylvania drinking water systems fare in testing for 'forever chemicals'?

More than 1,000 drinking water systems in the United States have detected what are commonly called forever chemicals above limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a USA TODAY analysis .

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS , are a group of more than 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in a variety of common applications, from the linings of fast-food boxes and non-stick cookware to fire-fighting foams and other purposes, USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania outdoors columnist Brian Whipkey has reported .

USA TODAY reported in May that PFAS have been shown to build up in human bodies, increasing the risk for certain types of cancer and other serious health complications .

The EPA recently released records for PFAS sampling being done by thousands of drinking systems across the country, including many throughout Pennsylvania. You can explore testing results for drinking water systems near your home, around the state and throughout the country in an interactive map .

Interactive map: Has my water system found PFAS?

Explore more data reports at Data Central .

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: How do Pennsylvania drinking water systems fare in testing for 'forever chemicals'?