This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 19

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

NONCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES AND RELATED COMPANY TRANSACTIONS, Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions	12 Months Ended											3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2010 Exclusive of Additional Differences for Dow Corning, MEGlobal, Equipolymers, and Americas Styrenics, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Exclusive of Additional Differences for Dow Corning, MEGlobal, Equipolymers, and Americas Styrenics, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Dow Corning Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Dow Corning Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 MEGlobal [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 MEGlobal [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 MEGlobal, Amount Amortized Over the Remaining Useful Lives of the Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 MEGlobal, Share of the Joint Venture Goodwill [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Equipolymers [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Equipolymers [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Americas Styrenics LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in nonconsolidated affiliates	$ 3,453	$ 3,224	$ 3,204
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity				74	52	(227)	(227)	(250)	(257)	(60)	(190)	(8)	(7)	(136)
Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	668	690	836
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment												$ 65