Are Steroids Sold in Australia What They Claim to Be?

Recent research conducted in Australia highlights significant concerns regarding the safety and accuracy of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) products available on unregulated markets. A team of scientists collected 28 anonymously donated steroid samples and performed detailed chemical analyses. Alarmingly, only four of these products had accurately labeled dosages within a 5% margin, with the majority being mislabeled or mis-sold. This disparity raises serious questions about the purity and safety of these substances.

A key finding of the study was the detection of heavy metals, including lead and arsenic, in many of the tested steroids. Some samples exceeded the established safe daily exposure limits, posing risks of organ damage, toxicity, and potentially cancer. The presence of these harmful contaminants is particularly concerning given the long-term health implications associated with heavy metal toxicity.

Dr. Tim Piatkowski from Griffith University emphasized that the variability and contamination in unregulated AAS products pose substantial health hazards. The study identified twelve heavy metals in injectable and oral formulations, with seven additional metals present in raw powders. These findings underscore the risks stemming from adulteration, substitution, and the presence of harmful substances, which are prevalent in illicit steroid markets.

The research highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive surveillance and testing system for AAS. Such a system would enable real-time monitoring of product composition, contaminants, and trends, thereby supporting harm reduction and informed consumer choices. Given the global rise in AAS use—estimated to have increased among women from 1.6% to 4% over the past decade—accurate information on product safety is more critical than ever.

The study advocates for better regulation and testing of AAS to prevent long-term health issues such as cancer, organ failure, and other adverse effects. Consumers should be aware of the risks associated with unregulated steroid products, and health authorities are called to implement rigorous oversight to protect public health.

Source: [https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-steroids-sold-australia.html]