Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 6,508,000	[1]		$ 101,211,000	[1]
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected defined benefit pension plans curtailment gain (loss) in fourth quarter of 2012				4,000,000
Estimated employer contribution to defined contribution 401 (k) employee savings plan in the fourth quarter of 2012				10,000,000
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected defined benefit pension plans curtailment gain (loss) in fourth quarter of 2012				6,000,000
Estimated employer contribution to defined contribution 401 (k) employee savings plan in the fourth quarter of 2012				11,000,000
U.S. Postretirement Benefit Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Premiums paid to the U.S. post-retirement benefit plan	700,000		700,000	2,600,000		2,800,000
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension contributions	300,000		1,100,000	3,000,000		54,700,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension contributions	14,100,000			14,100,000
Restructuring and other charges	$ 6,508,000			$ 6,508,000

[1] The three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 include a settlement charge of $6.5 million ($4.1 million after income taxes) associated with our SERP in connection with the retirement of our former CEO and executive chairman. The nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 also includes charges amounting to $94.7 million ($73.6 million after income taxes) in connection with our exit of the phosphorous flame retardants business.