OPERATING SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS (Reconciliation of EBITDA to Income Before Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of EBITDA to Income Before Income Taxes [Abstract]
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	$ 1,960	[1]	$ 2,332	[1]	$ 3,668	[1]	$ 4,274	[1]
Minus depreciation and amortization	674		697		1,353		1,428
Plus interest income	10		10		16		17
Minus interest expense and amortization of debt discount	312		328		641		705
Income Before Income Taxes	$ 984		$ 1,317		$ 1,690		$ 2,158

[1] The Company uses EBITDA (which Dow defines as earnings (i.e., "Net Income") before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) as its measure of profit/loss for segment reporting purposes. EBITDA by operating segment includes all operating items relating to the businesses, except depreciation and amortization; items that principally apply to the Company as a whole are assigned to Corporate. A reconciliation of EBITDA to “Income Before Income Taxes” is provided below.