In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Wayne delves into the common misconception surrounding non-chlorine shock, specifically monopersulfate (MPS). He explains to Steve that the term "non-chlorine shock" is somewhat misleading because MPS is not powerful enough to break the nitrogen-chloride bond, which means it can't effectively eliminate combined chlorine from a swimming pool. However, Wayne emphasizes that MPS is still a valuable tool in pool maintenance as a preventative measure. It works by eliminating organic contaminants that can eventually lead to the formation of chloramines, the compounds responsible for that strong chlorine smell and irritation.

Wayne also discusses a potential drawback of using MPS: it can interfere with chlorine testing. Specifically, MPS can cause a false reading in total chlorine levels, making it seem as though there's combined chlorine present when there isn't. This could lead to confusion for pool operators relying on test results to make water treatment decisions. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the proper use and understanding of non-chlorine shock in pool maintenance.