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Environmental activist Erin Brockovich gives a pep talk to Maycee Gardner, who has a brain tumor, Monday night in Cameron. Ms. Brockovich held a meeting with residents concerning the high incidents of brain tumors in that area.

CAMERON, Mo. — Famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich formally became involved Monday in efforts to uncover a cause for brain tumors plaguing several Northwest Missouri counties.

Ms. Brockovich — the subject of 2000’s movie of the same name starring actress Julia Roberts — spoke to several hundred people gathered at Cameron High School. She is already pledging to begin her own tests and databases on soil, water, air and other factors in the area such as the former Rockwool plant. She plans returns to update residents on her investigation.

“I’m here to investigate and to begin to try and find out what’s going on in this community,” she said.

Her interest in the brain tumor cases was sparked by a stream of e-mails from patients. “Anytime that happens, that’s a flag to me that something’s going on,” Ms. Brockovich said.

The information has come not only from the Cameron area, she said, but also from people living in other states who had prior local ties.

“I’m a consumer advocate out to create awareness,” she said. “There’s a lot more work to do.”

She appeared with several attorneys and state Rep. Jim Guest, R-King City. Mr. Guest has been involved in probes of the brain tumors since spring. Earlier this month, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said the number of tumors did not exceed state trends.

Ms. Brockovich distributed a yellow legal pad among the audience, asking for contact information from tumor victims.

“I know the community’s been frustrated,” she said. “If you don’t stick together as a unit, it won’t work.”

She said part of her intent will be to help families receive the best legal representation possible. Already, one firm — Peterson and Associates of Kansas City — has hired California toxicologist Dr. James Dahlgren to assist in investigations of about 40 tumor cases. Ms. Brockovich said she is familiar with Dr. Dahlgren’s work, including the case on which the movie was based.

During more than 1½ hours, Ms. Brockovich fielded questions from residents on subjects ranging from blood testing to water quality. Several people spoke of their own or their family member’s ordeal with tumors.

She discounted the idea that her focus will remain fixed solely on Cameron.

“That doesn’t mean an outside community doesn’t have a problem,” she said. “This is not scouting mission for me ... If there’s a contaminant here, let’s get rid of it ... I have to do foot patrol.”

The inquiries may take months and could include information that dates back to the 1970s, Ms. Brockovich said.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.