Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich is set to return to Northwest Georgia later this month as part of an expanded effort focused on testing for PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” in Rome and Dalton.

According to an announcement from PFAS Georgia, Brockovich will appear in Rome on Monday, March 30, for a morning press conference and again on Tuesday, March 31, for a public town hall. A separate town hall is also planned for Dalton on March 30.

The group says it is launching an expanded campaign to aggressively test water, soil, and dust in Rome and across Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Paulding, Chattooga, and Haralson counties. Organizers say the decision comes after more than 20 months of work in the region and after reviewing additional data showing extremely high levels of PFAS contamination in some areas of Northwest Georgia.

PFAS Georgia says testing conducted in Northwest Georgia has now exceeded that of any other region in the country and has revealed some of the highest levels of “forever chemicals” in the nation.

At the March 30 press conference in Rome, Brockovich will be joined by PFAS Georgia attorney Ben Finley and water expert Bob Bowcock. Organizers say they plan to discuss the expansion of testing in Rome and surrounding counties, release new water, soil, and dust test results, and provide updates on litigation and legislation related to PFAS contamination.

The press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, March 30, at the Forum River Center, located at 301 Tribune Street in Rome. According to the announcement, the event will take place along the edge of the Oostanaula River, where organizers say water has tested above the safe limit for PFOA and PFAS.

Two public town halls are also planned. The first will be held Monday, March 30, at 6 p.m. at the Dalton Convention Center. The second will take place Tuesday, March 31, at 6 p.m. at the Forum River Center in Rome.

Organizers say the town halls will give residents and business owners a chance to learn how to have their property tested, how to pursue possible legal action, and what steps they can take to help protect their land and water. Updates on proposed legislation involving PFAS liability are also expected to be discussed.

PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” are man-made substances that can remain in the environment for long periods of time and have drawn increasing attention nationwide because of contamination concerns.