Park Slope YMCA Enters 2nd Week Closed After Water Contamination

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — The Prospect Park YMCA has entered its second week of being closed to the public after chemicals got into its drinking water a few days before the Fourth of July.

The 9th Street YMCA first closed its doors last Tuesday morning after chemicals got into its water supply during air conditioning maintenance the night before. The branch, which Mayor Bill de Blasio famously visits a few days a week, stayed closed over the holiday week and weekend and was still not open as of 9 a.m. Monday, according to its website.

"All previously planned program and camp activities at the branch are moved, cancelled, or rescheduled," the most recent post reads. "In the meantime, all members can visit any other Y location in NYC."

YMCA staff first thought that the chemical in its water was ethylene glycol, which in severe cases can cause seizures or heart damage, and started contacting any members that may have drank the water after it was contaminated around 6 p.m. Monday and before the branch closed.

But a few days later, the Y discovered that the chemical that contaminated the water was actually propylene glycol, a much less toxic compound. Still, staff are still advising any members who drank the water after 6 p.m. that Monday and who feel unwell to seek medical attention.

"Our highest priority is the health and safety of those we serve," a YMCA spokesperson told Patch last week. "We have alerted our members and personally reached out to everyone whose records indicate they visited the Prospect Park Y in the evening on July 1."

Some Twitter users said Patch's story last week was the first time they were hearing of the contamination, including parents who said they have children in camp at the YMCA branch. The YMCA told one parent on Twitter that the summer campers were not in the building when the water was contaminated.

The camp activities were moved to the nearby Armory branch during the closure, they said.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention describe propylene glycol as a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water and can be used to make polyester or as an antifreeze.
The chemical is classified as "generally recognized as safe" by the Food and Drug Administration because, unlike ethylene glycol, it does not form into harmful crystals as it breaks down in the body.

The YMCA will reopen once its waters have been tested and restored back to normal, according to the notice and the Health Department.