Objective To explore the relationship between polymorphisms of interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene (-33,+45,intron3,+429,+448) and the susceptibility of silicosis.Methods A case-control study was carried out.101 silicosis patients were selected as cases.As strictly matching,121 of non silicosis workers were selected as the controls.The polymophisms of IL-4 (five locus) were detected by the method of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques.Results The GA genotype in the IL-4+429 locus and the CC genotype in the IL-4+448 locus were found.The frequencies ofAA,GG and AG of IL-4+45 locus in the cases were 55.4％,10.9％,and 33.7％ and in the controls were 62.0％,11.6％,and 26.4％.The differences between cases and controls were not significant.The frequencies of B1B1,B2B2,and B1B2 of intron3 VNTR locus in the cases were 73.3％,1.0％,and 25.7％ and in the controls were 68.6％,1.7％,and 29.8％.The differences were not significant.The frequencies of TT,CC,and CT in -33 locus in the cases were 55.4％,11.9％,and 32.7％ and in the controls were 69.4％,4.1％,and 26.4％.The differences were significant (P=0.034).Conclusion The relationship between genetic polymorphism of IL-4-33 site and silicosis has been found and -33TT is a protective genotype for silicosis.