New Jersey checking for water contamination caused by toxic firefighting foam

New Jersey is among five states that are monitoring water quality near military bases for contamination from toxic firefighting foam.

But an Associated Press survey of all 50 states shows most haven’t tracked its use and don’t even know whether it was used, where or when.

The foam was likely used around the country at certain airports, refineries and other sites where catastrophic petroleum fires were a risk.

New Jersey, Alaska, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin are tracking the chemicals used in the foam through ongoing water monitoring or by looking for potentially contaminated sites.