Podcast Summary

Therapy for Black Girls – Session 449
Episode Title: Environmental Racism & Toxic Products Explained
Host: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford
Guest: Dr. Tamara James Todd, Epidemiologist & Professor at Harvard University
Release Date: February 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This enlightening episode shines a light on the concept of environmental racism—systemic issues causing Black women and their communities to be disproportionately exposed to harmful chemicals in everyday products. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford welcomes Dr. Tamara James Todd, a Harvard professor and director of the Environmental Reproductive Justice Lab, to break down how these exposures happen, how they affect Black women’s physical and mental health, and what individuals and communities can do to foster change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Experiences & Motivation

[05:19–07:51]

• Dr. James Todd reflects on growing up as a Black girl in a predominantly white school, feeling different due to early puberty and noticing these differences years before learning the scientific reasons.
  • “When I first became aware of research…that black girls were starting puberty earlier…that was also linked to a variety of adverse health outcomes…that there might be something in our environment, including hair products…that might be contributing...” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [06:34]
• She describes this as a formative “aha moment” that shaped her scientific interests and advocacy.

What Does an Environmental Reproductive Epidemiologist Do?

[07:51–09:29]

• Dr. James Todd’s work is collaborative, bridging students, clinicians, and communities to innovate practical, sustainable solutions.
  • “Science helps to make the world a healthier place through identifying sustainable and achievable solutions.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [09:08]

Product Regulation and Disparities

[09:36–13:05]

• The US only regulates about 13 harmful chemicals in personal care products, whereas the European Union bans around 1,300.
• Products sold to Black women often contain unregulated harmful chemicals.
  • “Just because it has landed on the shelf does not mean that it’s been vetted, and it does not mean that it is safe for you.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [09:57]
• The onus to avoid harmful products falls on consumers, but there’s growing movement to inform clinicians and the wider community.

Why the U.S. Lags in Regulation

[13:05–14:09]

• U.S. culture values innovation and individualism, sometimes at the expense of consumer protections.
  • “We’re individualists… In other ways it means that trade-off is that someone can bring something to market that could unfortunately harm…the people using those products.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [13:21]

Defining Environmental Racism

[14:09–16:50]

• Environmental racism: Discrimination occurring through place, products, air, water, and temperature—based on racial identity.
• Black communities have less access to safer products (e.g., hair and body care), higher availability of those with harmful chemicals.
  • “Those stores are up to two times…more likely to have products…that have harmful chemicals…that impact Black women.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [15:43]
• Online ordering isn’t a practical solution for most daily-use products.

Accumulative Harm & Case Examples

[19:28–23:53]

• Chronic exposure matters: repeated, daily contact with chemicals leads to health issues over a lifetime.
  • Case study: Even babies exposed to certain hair products showed signs of early puberty; once products were removed, effects regressed.
  • “The breasts regressed… and the pubic hair fell out.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [21:47]
• Hidden and chronic exposures, not just dramatic cases, can disrupt hormone regulation, fat development, and risk for diseases like obesity, diabetes, and reproductive issues.

Products & Ingredients to Watch

[25:17–29:17]

• High exposure comes from fragrances, perfumes, plastics, air fresheners, and even some essential oils (lavender and tea tree oil can be estrogenic).
• Apps like Yuka and Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep can help decode labels.
  • “I think the average woman…uses about 12 or so products a day. And is exposed to about 160 different chemicals every day.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [28:36]

Cultural & Historical Context

[29:17–33:42]

• How racism and stereotypes shape societal beauty standards and cleaning habits.
  • “What does clean smell like to you?... There’s this both the body part and home part.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [29:46]
• Systemic pressures drive product use; family and cultural influence matter, too.
• Solutions require collaboration from communities, salon owners, health communicators, scientists, and policymakers.
  • “At the end of the day…what you’re talking about, Dr. Joy, boils down to an issue of trust.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [31:57]

Hair Relaxers, Maintenance Products & Current Science

[33:42–37:25]

• Relaxers (containing lye and other chemicals) are linked with increased risks for fibroids, breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer.
• It's not only relaxers—maintenance products used routinely pose a greater risk due to chronic exposure.
• Industry sometimes ignores or resists calls for safer products.

Steps for Individual & Collective Change

[39:34–43:18]

• Don’t panic—start small. Select one product to swap for a safer alternative; use resources like ingredient apps.
  • “Please don’t go home… and throw out all your products. Don’t do that. But choose one thing that you might change…” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [42:11]
• Fragrances and parabens: watch for these in products.
• “Fragrance” as an ingredient can hide hundreds of chemicals, including plasticizers and endocrine disruptors.
• Advocate: Vote with your dollars, give companies feedback, and get involved with local or state policy.
  • “Some of the biggest innovation that has happened…in this space is actually at the state level.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [45:57]

Hope for the Future

[47:45–48:51]

• Progress: Conversations about environmental health for Black women have moved to the mainstream; more research and advocacy is happening.
  • “The fact that we can have this conversation…that people are aware…it’s also the products you use that can have real impact on your health.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [48:31]

Connecting with Dr. James Todd

[49:06–49:42]

• Find her research and resources:
  • Harvard Chan School of Public Health – James Todd Lab
  • Environmental Reproductive Justice Lab
  • Beauty Justice Podcast
  • Social media via J Media Todd Lab

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Just because it has landed on the shelf does not mean that it’s been vetted, and it does not mean that it is safe for you.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [09:57]
• “Black women have among the highest exposures to some of these harmful… endocrine disrupting chemicals.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [27:33]
• “What does clean smell like to you?...I know what we used. When I was growing up, we were Pine-sol users.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [29:55]
• “Don’t go home… and throw out all your products. Don’t do that. But choose one thing that you might change…” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [42:11]
• “We are one of the largest. We, meaning black women, are one of the largest consumers of personal care products…” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [43:55]
• “The fact that we can have this conversation…that people are aware that it’s not just what you eat…it’s also the products that you use.” – Dr. Tamara James Todd [48:31]

Actionable Takeaways

• Start Small: Change one product; don’t feel pressured to overhaul everything at once.
• Use Technology: Try apps like Yuka or EWG’s Skin Deep app to research safer products.
• Read Labels: Be cautious with ingredients like parabens, “fragrance,” and plastics.
• Advocate: Report harmful experiences, write to companies and legislators, and support bills for stricter regulations.
• Community Support: Encourage communal education and collective advocacy for safer products.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:19] Dr. James Todd’s childhood memories and early awareness
• [09:36] Product regulation disparities (US vs. Europe)
• [14:21] Defining environmental racism and real-life impact
• [19:28] The science behind cumulative chemical exposures
• [25:17] What to watch for: common toxic ingredients and products
• [29:17] Cultural narratives, beauty, “cleanliness,” and systemic racism
• [33:42] Health risks: relaxers, hair products, and chronic exposure
• [39:34] Steps for safer living and using consumer power
• [43:18] How to hold companies and policymakers accountable
• [47:45] Dr. James Todd’s hope for the field and ongoing progress
• [49:06] Where to follow Dr. James Todd’s work

Closing Thoughts

This in-depth episode equips listeners with both knowledge and practical strategies to navigate environmental racism in their daily routines. Dr. James Todd’s research illuminates both the personal and systemic changes needed to support Black women’s health. The central message: awareness, small steps, advocacy, and community are key to health justice.

Further Resources:

• Harvard Chan School of Public Health – James Todd Lab
• Beauty Justice Podcast on Apple
• Therapy for Black Girls Community

Share what resonated with you on social media with #tbginsession, and visit the show notes for more.