This letter challenges the concept that the metallic iron (Fe(0)) surface contributes directly to the process of micro-organism inactivation in aqueous solutions. It is shown that any antimicrobial properties of Fe is related to the cycle of expansion/contraction accompanying aqueous iron corrosion. This demonstration corroborates the concept that aqueous contaminant removal in the presence of Fe mostly occurs at the Fe-oxide/water interface or within the oxide-film on Fe(0). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.