It has been reported that a racing commission’s chief integrity officer in the midst of a probe into the use of nebulizers, more commonly known as inhalators, in the harness racing industry.

An article by The Age states that Harness Racing NSW chief integrity officer Reid Sanders has been investigating the use of the inhalators in racing stables for roughly six months.

Sanders is investigating to see if xenon and argon gases are being used. The report states that HRNSW has been freezing samples. He was quoted as saying, "We have been taking note of stables that have nebulizers as it is the way xenon and argon would be delivered.”

The article explains that many believe that the inhalation of the gases produces a similar effect to that of EPO, which aids the production of red blood cells.

Sanders also stated that xenon and argon were added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list this past May.

(With files from the The Age)