Brian Nearing reports in the Albany Times Union that the Department of Environmental Conservation says a scrap metal and electronics recycling yard in Bethlehem in Albany County has been spilling "high levels" of mercury into the Hudson River. A drain pipe at Sims Metal Management was recently discharging rainwater that contained mercury at 1,100 parts per trillion. The state limit for mercury is 50 parts per trillion, and the drain pipe is one of two at the 140 Port Road South facility not included under the company's current state permit. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, especially dangerous for children and fetuses, and can be transferred to humans from fish. Port Albany Ventures LLC, an affiliate of Sims, took over the state water pollution permit when it acquired the site in 2005. Sims runs more than 130 recycling yards in North America, and 100 more in Australia and Europe. The company did not return the calls from the newspaper. Brian Nearing reports in the Albany Times Union.