The two most notorious chemicals in the Widefield aquifer are at least seven to 10 times more toxic than previously suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency, a different federal agency reported Wednesday.

The chemicals' heightened toxicity highlighted an 852-page draft report by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, which it posted for public comment amid concerns by Capitol Hill lawmakers that the report would be suppressed by the White House.

The new scientific review raised fresh questions about whether the Environmental Protection Agency's warnings about the chemicals are too lenient. And the findings suggest that far more Americans are being exposed to harmful chemicals in their drinking water than are currently considered at risk by the EPA, experts contacted by The Gazette said.

In addition to increased concerns about the chemicals' toxicity, the report said two other chemicals that have yet to trigger EPA warnings appear to pose a health risk.

"It definitely says that the current health advisory is too high to adequately protect human health," said Alexis Temkin, a toxicologist for the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group.

Already some other states - including New Jersey and Michigan - have instituted tighter water standards and health advisories than has the EPA.

to read the full article by 11 News partner The Gazette.