Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with atomic emission spectroscopy was evaluated as a rapid screening tool for volatile halogenated compounds in water samples. After extraction, the SPME fiber was introduced to the injector where the analytes were rapidly and efficiently desorbed. The analytes entered the detector over a short period of time and produced one well-defined analyte signal. Element selective responses were measured to confirm the presence and to roughly estimate the content of volatile compounds. The total time for extraction and detection was approximately 5 min, which makes this method a rapid and promising technique for determination of total amount of volatile halogenated compounds. The proposed technique may prove useful as a screening test in order to pinpoint the samples that need further assessment by capillary gas chromatography.