© 2024 Peoria Public Radio
A joint service of Bradley University and Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Most states, including Illinois, don't track toxic foam use

Illinois is one of 33 states not tracking the use of a toxic firefighting foam that has prompted the military to check U.S. bases for potential groundwater contamination caused by chemicals.

The foam was likely used at certain airports, refineries and other sites at risk for catastrophic petroleum fires. It contains perfluorinated compounds linked to cancer and other illnesses.

The Illinois EPA and Department of Public Health say they would recommend or require monitoring if alerted to a situation that could taint water supplies or pose a health risk. But they don't plan any routine testing.

Five states are tracking those chemicals and 12 others are beginning or planning to investigate them. But the 33 other states, including Illinois, are waiting action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
 

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.