The way I see it "we only got our health" to fall back on.
I can empathize with being working class and the lack of quality affordable health care in the states.
Seems to me you have to take some of the blame for your chronic health as well. You admit yourself that you exposed yourself to chemical hazards in the workplace beyond acceptable limits that others would tolerate. Health and safety is everyone responsibility not just your employer. While they have duties to provide PPE and reasonable protection from hazards you also have a duty not to compromise your own safety.
I'm an alcoholic so I did the same for decades, knowingly expose myself to toxic levels of a substance without any rational thought or reason.
Sounds like you have a choice to either start taking responsibility and action to look after yourself or you can choose go to an early grave.
Same with booze, same with all choices we make everyday, every minute of our lives.