A hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM] [PF 6 ]), was applied as nonaqueous solvent for the generation of hydroxy radical (•OH) through glucose oxidasecatalyzed Fenton reaction. The enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of glucose, and the produced H 2 O 2 further reacts with transition metal ions, generating hydroxyl radicals. They attacked DNA and led its damage. This was detected by square wave voltammetry (SWV) of the electroactive indicator Co(bpy) 3 3+ . It bound more strongly to intact DNA, and the SWV peak currents decreased at the potential of 0.064 V when DNA was damaged. The experimental results testified that the antioxidants, ascorbic acid, aloe-emodin and rutin, inhibited oxidative DNA damage by hydroxyl radicals. The method is promising for rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive detection of DNA damage.