Three pesticides usually added to paint formulations, Irgarol 1051, dichlofluanid and 4-chloro-3-methylphenol, were determined by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with 85-micron polyacrylate fibers and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The parameters affecting the SPME process (the pH, the addition of salt to the sample, and the time and temperature of the absorption step) were optimized. The method developed was applied to the analysis of water samples from Ebro river, marinas and fishing ports. The method enables these compounds to be detected at concentrations between 0.2 and 3.0 micrograms l-1 under full scan conditions and between 0.05 and 0.08 microgram l-1 under SIM mode.