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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation) (Table and Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2002
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]        
Asbestos Related Charges (Credit) $ 78dow_AsbestosRelatedChargesCredit      
Union Carbide [Member]        
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]        
Liability for asbestos claims, gross 513dow_LiabilityForAsbestosClaimsGross
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
500dow_LiabilityForAsbestosClaimsGross
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
  2,200dow_LiabilityForAsbestosClaimsGross
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Percentage of recorded asbestos liability related to pending claims 22.00%dow_AsbestosRelatedLiabilityPendingClaimsPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
20.00%dow_AsbestosRelatedLiabilityPendingClaimsPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
   
Percentage of recorded asbestos liability related to future claims 78.00%dow_AsbestosRelatedLiabilityFutureClaimsPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
80.00%dow_AsbestosRelatedLiabilityFutureClaimsPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
   
Estimated insurance recoveries 79us-gaap_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
64us-gaap_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
  1,350us-gaap_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Defense and resolution costs for asbestos related claims   24dow_DefenseAndResolutionCostsAsbestosRelatedClaims
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
25dow_DefenseAndResolutionCostsAsbestosRelatedClaims
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
 
Union Carbide [Member] | Asbestos Issue [Member]        
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]        
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum 540us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMinimum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember
     
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum 640us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember
     
Union Carbide [Member] | Estimated Insurance Recoveries Defense And Resolution Costs [Member]        
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]        
Estimated insurance recoveries 69us-gaap_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= dow_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveriesDefenseAndResolutionCostsMember
54us-gaap_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= dow_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveriesDefenseAndResolutionCostsMember
   
Union Carbide [Member] | Estimated Insurance Recoveries Carriers Without Settlement Agreements [Member]        
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]        
Estimated insurance recoveries $ 10us-gaap_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= dow_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveriesCarriersWithoutSettlementAgreementsMember
$ 10us-gaap_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= dow_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveriesCarriersWithoutSettlementAgreementsMember