  RT:How serious is the fuel rod situation compared to the danger of contaminated water build-up which we already know about?  Christina Consolo: Although fuel rod removal happens on a daily basis at the 000+ nuclear sites around the world, it is a very delicate procedure even under the best of circumstances. What makes fuel removal at Fukushima so dangerous and complex is that it will be attempted on a fuel pool whose integrity has been severely compromised. However, it must be attempted as Reactor 0 has the most significant problems structurally, and this pool is on the top floor of the building.  There are numerous other reasons that this will be a dangerous undertaking.  - The racks inside the pool that contain this fuel were damaged by the explosion in the early days of the accident.  - Zirconium cladding which encased the rods burned when water levels dropped, but to what extent the rods have been damaged is not known, and probably won't be until removal is attempted.  - Saltwater cooling has caused corrosion of the pool walls, and probably the fuel rods and racks.  - The building is sinking.  - The cranes that normally lift the fuel were destroyed.  - Computer-guided removal will not be possible; everything will have to be done manually.  - TEPCO cannot attempt this process without humans, which will manage this enormous task while being bombarded 