Hydroxyl (OH) radical is proposed as an important factor in the ozonation of water. In the present study, the enhancing effect of 3-chlorophenol on OH radical generation was mathematically evaluated using electron spin resonance (ESR)/spin-trapping technique. OH radical was trapped with a 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as a stable adduct, DMPO-OH. The initial velocity of DMPO-OH generation in ozonated water containing 3-chlorophenol was quantitatively measured using a combined system of ESR spectroscopy with stopped-flow apparatus which was controlled by home-made software. The initial velocity of DMPO-OH generation increased as a function of the concentration of ozone and the more effectively of 3-chlorophenol concentration. The relation among ozone concentration, amount of 3-chlorophenol and the initial velocity (nu(0)) of DMPO-OH generation was mathematically analyzed and the following equation was obtained, nu(0) (10(-6)M/s)=[9.7 x [3-chlorophenol (10(-9)M)] + 0.0005]exp(57 x [ozone (10(-9)M)]). The equation fitted very well with the experimental results, and the correlation coefficient was larger than 0.99. The equation for the enhancing effect by 3-chlorophenol should provide useful information to optimize the condition in ozone treatment process of water containing phenolic pollutants.