CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 324.0		$ 1,843.6
Accounts receivable, net	2,199.0		2,095.3
Inventories	1,103.8		1,069.6
Deferred income taxes	186.3		164.0
Other current assets	259.8		223.5
Total current assets	4,072.9		5,396.0
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,334.2		2,295.4
Goodwill	5,893.7		5,855.3
Other intangible assets, net	4,103.3		4,275.2
Other assets	318.7		362.8
Total assets	16,722.8		18,184.7
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	631.0		1,023.0
Accounts payable	858.6		815.7
Compensation and benefits	459.6		497.2
Income taxes	73.0		81.7
Other current liabilities	796.5		748.7
Total current liabilities	2,818.7		3,166.3
Long-term debt	5,386.7		6,613.2
Postretirement health care and pension benefits	997.0		1,173.4
Other liabilities	1,494.2		1,490.7
Total liabilities	10,696.6		12,443.6
Equity
Common stock	340.1	[1]	336.1	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	4,162.5		3,980.8
Retained earnings	3,856.9		3,559.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(353.6)		(344.9)
Treasury stock	(2,060.5)		(1,865.2)
Total Ecolab shareholders' equity	5,945.4		5,666.7
Noncontrolling interest	80.8		74.4
Total equity	6,026.2		5,741.1
Total liabilities and equity	$ 16,722.8		$ 18,184.7

[1] Common stock, 800 million shares authorized, $1.00 par value per share, 292.9 million shares outstanding at September 30, 2012, 292.0 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2011. Shares outstanding are net of treasury stock.