Clair Patterson

Clair Patterson was an American geochemist known for determining the age of the Earth and highlighting the dangers of lead pollution. Through his pioneering work on uranium and lead isotopes, he calculated the Earth to be about 4.5 billion years old. Patterson also discovered widespread lead contamination in the environment due to industrial activities and leaded gasoline. His research helped spark public awareness and led to significant policy changes, advocating for cleaner environments and reducing lead exposure, which has had lasting impacts on public health and environmental standards.