The following letter by Rita Solk was published in the Almanac's Jan. 24 issue:

Editor:

Thank you for your Dec. 27 coverage of the chloramine issue and the two letters following it.

Our local health department and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission have turned a deaf ear to people's suffering and the public outcry on the use of chloramines in our water system. Chloramine has not been properly studied for health effects such as skin and respiratory problems.

We need to work with Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood City, and other legislators to get chloramine removed from the water.

Mr. Ruskin plans to introduce a bill to do so as well as have testing completed. Anyone having symptoms from chloramine or who is concerned about damage to their plumbing and the environment should contact Mr. Ruskin at 5050 El Camino Real, Suite 117, Los Altos, CA 94022. The phone number is (650) 691-2121.

To learn more about chloramine's effects on health, the environment and plumbing, see www.chloramine.org.

Rita Solk

Tioga Drive, Menlo Park