Beginning in 1965, with the publication of Contaminated and Natural Lead Environments of Man, Patterson tried to draw public attention to the problem of increased lead levels in the environment and the food chain from lead from industrial sources.
Sejak 1965, setelah Contaminated and Natural Lead Environments of Man diterbitkan, Patterson mencoba mengalihkan perhatian publik ke masalah peningkatan kandungan timbal di lingkungan dan rantai makanan akibat pencemaran timbal industri.