Realizing the potential of metallic iron for the mitigation of toxics: flee or adapt?

Metallic iron (Fe 0 ) has been increasingly used to remove toxics from water over the past three decades. However, the idea that metallic iron (Fe 0 ) is not an environmental reducing agent has been vigorously refuted. Researchers presenting their findings in a scientific journal have to accept the burden of proving that their argument has any validity. This 30-year-lasting discussion within the Fe 0 remediation community is alien to electro-chemists, as it is a century-old knowledge. Nevertheless, the peer-reviewed literature on “remediation using Fe 0 ” seems to be dominated by evaluators thinking that Fe 0 is a reducing agent. This communication challenges the view that Fe 0 donates any electron to any dissolved species. The sole goal is to reconcile a proven efficient technology with its scientific roots and enable the design of better Fe 0 remediation systems.