Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the mutation of p53 gene in induced sputum cells and the exposure to PAHs among coke oven workers.MethodsTotally 125 coke oven workers in a steel factory were selected as exposed group and 37 workers from the warehouse of the same factory without occupational carcinogen exposure were selected as control group.The working environment was monitored with individual sampling method.Sputum was induced and collected with ultrasonic nebulization of hypertonic saline and the sputum cells were separated.Uurine samples were collected from the workers after the night shift.The concentrations of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene(HpU)and benzo(a)pyrene in the air were measured using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and the p53 gene mutation in induced sputum cells was detected by polymerase chain reaction single strand conformation polymorphism analysis(PCR-SSCP).ResultsThe mutation rate of exon 6,7(14.3%,21.4%)and the total mutation rate of exon 5,6,7(33.3%)in p53 gene in the exposure groups were significantly higher than those of in the control group(0%,5.4%,5.4%,P<0.05).The mutation rates were increased in response to the increased levels of external exposure(χ²=7.457,P<0.01).Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that coke oven exposure,top and bottom coke oven exposure,and age were the major risk factors of induced p53 gene mutation rates in sputum cells with the adjusted odds ratio(OR)values(95% confidence interval) of 25.278(3.461-184.625),7.359(1.017-53.267),22.228(3.146-157.082),and 1.106(1.011-1.211),respectively.ConclusionCoke oven emission increases p53 gene mutation in induced sputum cells among coke oven worker and the increase is related to the exposure level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.