Financial Information by Segment - Schedule of Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Taxes for Unallocated and Other (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ (14)		$ (15)		$ (41)		$ (47)
Less: Equity in loss (earnings) of affiliated companies, net of tax	(2)		3		(2)		9
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in (loss) earnings of affiliated companies	80	[1]	74	[1]	237	[1]	154	[1]
Unallocated and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	(14)		(15)		(41)		(47)
Total certain items, pre-tax	(7)	[2]	(4)	[2]	(19)	[2]	(43)	[2]
Less: Equity in loss (earnings) of affiliated companies, net of tax	2	[3]	(3)	[3]	2	[3]	(9)	[3]
Unallocated corporate costs	(14)	[4]	(12)	[4]	(43)	[4]	(37)	[4]
General unallocated income (expense)	4	[5]	(3)	[5]	(1)	[5]	2	[5]
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in (loss) earnings of affiliated companies	$ (29)	[1]	$ (37)	[1]	$ (102)	[1]	$ (134)	[1]

[1] Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes that are categorized as Unallocated and Other includes:

[2] Certain items are items that management does not consider to be representative of operating segment results and they are, therefore, excluded from Segment EBIT. Certain items, pre-tax, for the three months ended June 30, 2014 include $3 million related to global restructuring activities, $3 million of foreign currency loss on revaluations and $1 million related to legal and environmental matters and reserves. Certain items, pre-tax, for the nine months ended June 30, 2014 include $24 million related to global restructuring activities, $5 million for acquisition and integration-related charges (consisting of $3 million for certain other one-time integration costs and $2 million of additional charges related to acquisition accounting adjustments for the acquired inventory of NHUMO), $3 million of foreign currency loss on revaluations and $16 million for legal and environmental matters and reserves offset by a $29 million non-cash gain recognized on the Company's pre-existing investment in NHUMO as a result of the NHUMO transaction. Certain items, pre-tax, for the three months ended June 30, 2013 include $5 million related to global restructuring activities and $2 million for acquisition and integration-related charges offset by $3 million of foreign currency gain on revaluation. Certain items, pre-tax, for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 include $29 million related to global restructuring activities and $18 million for acquisition and integration-related charges (consisting of $7 million for certain other one-time integration costs and $11 million of charges related to acquisition accounting adjustments for the acquired inventory) offset by $4 million of foreign currency gain on revaluation.

[3] Equity in loss (earnings) of affiliated companies, net of tax, is included in Segment EBIT and is removed from Unallocated and other to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes.

[4] Unallocated corporate costs are not controlled by the operating segments and primarily benefit corporate interests.

[5] General unallocated income (expense) consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, the impact of accounting for certain inventory on a LIFO basis, the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue, and the impact of including the full operating results of an equity affiliate in Purification Solutions Segment EBIT.