Environmental Justice: Environmental Racism and Toxic Exposure


Jun 11
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
University of Richmond, Zoom meeting

We invite all UR faculty, staff, and students to participate in our June conversation series on Environmental Justice with a timely and critical discussion on “Environmental Racism and Toxic Exposure.” Together, we will examine how race and place intersect to understand which communities face the highest risks of pollution, industrial hazards, and long-term health impacts—and why.

This session aims to foster open, respectful dialogue and deepen our collective understanding of these urgent issues. All perspectives are welcome. Participants are encouraged to review the pre-discussion materials before attending. 

Discussion details:

What this session will explore:

  • How environmental racism manifests in the siting of landfills, factories, highways, and other hazardous infrastructure
  • The legacy of redlining, segregation, and disinvestment in shaping exposure to environmental harms
  • Case studies from across the U.S., including communities impacted by lead poisoning, air and water pollution, and industrial runoff
  • The role of activism, community science, and litigation in exposing and resisting toxic environmental practices
  • Connections between environmental health, housing justice, and public policy

What attendees will gain:

  • A clearer understanding of environmental racism as a systemic issue with historical and present-day implications
  • Insights into the tools and practices frontline communities can use to achieve accountability and change
  • Deeper awareness of how policy decisions at every level affect environmental health outcomes
  • Strategies for identifying and addressing environmental harm in your community
  • Opportunities to engage with campus and local efforts around environmental equity and public health 

Reflection questions:

  1. Who bears the greatest burden of pollution and environmental risk—and why?
  2. What historical decisions or patterns have contributed to present-day exposure disparities?
  3. What does environmental racism look like in your local or professional context?
  4. How have communities resisted or responded to environmental injustices?
  5. What responsibility do individuals and institutions have in addressing toxic exposure and its root causes?

We hope you'll join us as we continue to unpack the intersections of environment, equity, and justice.

Together, we can learn to see and change the systems that shape environmental health.

Please email Dr. Keith W. McIntosh at cio@richmond.edu to receive the pre-discussion materials for this conversation. Intersections is a voluntary weekly discussion group that fosters a sense of belonging through open dialogue about societal challenges and their historical contexts.