Forensic sculptor Frank Bender last known victims of mesothelioma

Frank Bender, who found fame as a forensic sculptor with his knack for identifying victims of violent crimes and help capture criminals, was the last famous American die of mesothelioma.

Bender, who lived and worked in Philadelphia, died earlier this month after a year-long battle with pleural mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Its impact has been attributed to his stint in the NAVY for almost 50 years ago, when he often worked in the engine room of the ship.

Bender joined the growing group of reputable mesothelioma victims, who include actor Steve McQueen, musician Warren Zevon, Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen and former head of the White House staff Hamilton Jordan.

The ability to recreate a person of unknown Bender, discarded the skull – providing closure for families – and sculpt new faces from long-ago photos to assist investigators in criminal cases, became legendary in the forensic business.

He often described themselves as "recomposer from decomposed, '' which is the title of the upcoming movie about his life. Already have a book, "the girl with the crooked nose, '' written about him and his work in Mexico, where he again faces eight women killed in a series of murders. Three of the eight were subsequently identified from his work.

His most famous work was his adjustment time sculpture of John list, a New Jersey man who killed his family, and then disappeared in the year 1971. In 1989, working with old photos, he's graceful hands bust, he thought a list would look something like 18 years later, and he was shown on "America's most wanted" television show.  A woman looks at the Virginia recognized the man as a neighbor with a different name and called authorities. The list was arrested and convicted of murder.

Most of the 50 busts, which he sculpted for the police over the years came from the skulls, which had been sent to him in hopes of identifying victims of murders after dental records, DNA and fingerprints did not work.

Bender helped start famous Vidocq society in Philadelphia. This is an informal group of retirees and some retired investigators who meet regularly in the hope of resolving outstanding cold case murder.

Bender began his work with the Department of police of the city of Philadelphia, but his talent became popular internationally. He has also worked with the FBI, Scotland Yard and the Governments of Egypt and Mexico. He worked several times with America's most wanted.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 10: 35 am and is filed under asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, veterans. Can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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Mesothelioma cancer diseases not covered by recent federal funding for victims of 9/11

Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma – cancer caused by asbestos is not eligible for assistance through the recently appropriated $ 2.8 billion federal fund supposedly meant for those who are still suffering from illness related to 9/11 attack 10 years ago.

You are out of luck – at least for the moment.

Although approximately 400 tons of asbestos fibres in the air after the collapse of the twin towers, part of the deadly fog blanketing the city and especially the rescuers, not cancer would be covered by the new Zadroga 9/11 health and compensation fund.

This omission has died, many of the families of those who have suffered — many of whom were present at the General Assembly last week that the Fund – and frustration of the defenders of the patients.

"This is lethal when policy steps in front of the public health," said Linda Reinstein, President/CEO and co-founder of asbestos disease awareness Organization (ADOA).

Payments will begin in the autumn of that year, leaving many of the most severely affected with various forms of cancer, they believe, are directly linked to 9/11 attacks and its aftermath.

In determining what the right to be covered, the National Institute for occupational safety and health said too little scientific evidence linking cancer time spent among the debris and dust around the World Trade Center attack.

The Fund is an extension of the original Bill that distributed 7 billion dollars for the families and victims in the two years following these events.

"9/11 rescue workers not only deserve our respect, but the treatment of any disease, including cancer, which could be attributed to exposure to carcinogens, released from the catastrophe of the World Trade Center," Reinstein said Asbestos.com Thursday.

Centers for disease control had previously reported that 62% of people caught in the dust cloud of the fallen towers suffered from respiratory problems. In addition 46 percent of those who lived or worked in the area and still avoid the initial dust cloud reported consistent respiratory diseases.

The CDC reported that among the substances present in the air as a result of heavy concentrations of lead, mercury, cadmium, shards of glass, fiberglass, dioxins, sprayed concrete, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene. There were a lot more heavy metals that are burned in the fire, which lasted for months after the attack.

Asbestos was so common from its use in the construction of the Tower, which began in the late 1960s, before they were fully aware of the danger of a mineral. Asbestos was used anywhere as a fire retardant in both buildings, insulation, floor tiles, and other locations. According to the national resources Defense Council report, 2002, at least 400 tons of asbestos were used in construction.

Inhalation of asbestos fibers have been linked to several respiratory diseases, including lung and pleura mesothelioma, lung cancer, which effects the linings of the lungs. This can take anywhere from 15 to 50 years after exposure to the symptoms appear, although the two 9/11 responders have already died from Mesothelioma and their symptoms far earlier than the norm.

Diseases covered by the Act include chronic cough, sinusitis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Pulmonary fibrosis, muscular problems and many mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

The absence of cancer diseases covers frustration even some of the New York legislators who originally welcomed legislation and helped to sponsor.

"This is disappointing news for 9/11 responders and survivors who tragically was diagnosed with cancer in the wake of the attacks and suffered from day to day and are awaiting assistance," said New York representative Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, Peter King, in a joint statement last month.

The Fund must be distributed over the next five years, leaving open the possibility of including other diseases.
"It's just ridiculous that the cancer had not been included," said Reinstein.

If you want more detailed information on asbestos exposure, which occurred as a result of 9/11, visit the center of mesothelioma at Asbestos.com to learn more. If you have been diagnosed with asbestos-related disease and would like to help, find resources, fill out this form to find out how we can help.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 5, 2011 at 4: 50 pm and is filed under asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, studies of survivors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.

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