Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) (Nalco merger, USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 02, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Special (gains) and charges	Sep. 30, 2011 Special (gains) and charges	Sep. 30, 2012 Special (gains) and charges	Sep. 30, 2011 Special (gains) and charges	Sep. 30, 2012 Cost of sales	Sep. 30, 2012 Cost of sales	Sep. 30, 2012 Interest expense, net	Sep. 30, 2012 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
Total fair value of cash and stock consideration			$ 5,500,000,000
Special charges	$ 17,900,000	$ 133,400,000		$ 16,400,000	$ 10,300,000	$ 47,000,000	$ 10,300,000	$ 1,500,000	$ 72,700,000	$ 18,200,000	$ (4,500,000)