Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies (Tables) [Abstract] 
Loss Contingency
  December 31, 2010$753    
  Accruals for environmental matters deemed      
   probable and reasonably estimable 177    
  Environmental liability payments (156)    
  Other 3    
  September 30, 2011$777    
Loss Contingency, Classification of Accrual
         
 Environmental liabilities are included in the following balance sheet accounts: 
         
    September 30,  December 31, 
    2011  2010 
  Accrued liabilities$306 $328 
  Other liabilities 471  425 
   $777 $753 
Loss Contency, Claims, Quantities
 Nine Months EndedYear Ended 
  September 30, December 31, 
Claims Activity 2011 2010 2009 
        
Claims Unresolved at the beginning of period 22,480 19,940 51,951 
Claims Filed during the period (a) 2,719 4,302 2,697 
Claims Resolved during the period(b) (2,399) (1,762) (34,708) 
        
Claims Unresolved at the end of period 22,800 22,480 19,940 
        
(a) The number of claims filed in 2010 includes approximately 1,541 non-malignant claims (with an accrued liability of approximately $575 thousand in the aggregate), a majority of which had previously been dismissed in Mississippi and re-filed in Arkansas.
(b) The number of claims resolved in 2010 includes approximately 1,300 claims previously classified as inactive (95% non-malignant and accrued liability of approximately $2.0 million) which were activated during 2010. The claims portfolio was reduced in 2009 due to settlements, dismissals and the elimination of significantly aged (i.e., pending for more than six years), inactive (including claims for which the required medical and exposure showings have not been made) and duplicate claims.
        
Loss Contingency, Disease Distribution of Unresolved Claims
     
Disease Distribution of Unresolved Claims September 30,  December 31,
  2011 2010 2009
       
Mesothelioma and Other Cancer Claims  4,919  4,856  4,727
Other Claims  17,881  17,624  15,213
       
Total Claims  22,800  22,480  19,940
       
Loss Contingency, Resolution Values Per Claim
 Honeywell has experienced average resolution values per claim excluding legal costs as follows:  
            
        Year Ended December 31,       
   2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
            
   (in whole dollars)  
Malignant claims$ 54,000$ 50,000$ 65,000$ 33,000$ 33,000
Nonmalignant claims$ 1,300$ 200$ 1,500$ 500$ 250
Loss Contingency, Asbestos Related Liabilities
 Asbestos Related Liabilities       
   Bendix NARCO Total
        
 December 31, 2010$594$1,125$1,719
  Accrual for update to estimated liability 137 2 139
  Asbestos related liability payments (118) (3) (121)
        
 September 30, 2011$613$1,124$1,737
        
        
Loss Contingency, Insurance Recoveries
 Insurance Recoveries for Asbestos Related Liabilities       
   Bendix NARCO Total
        
 December 31, 2010$157$718$875
  Probable insurance recoveries related to       
  estimated liability 18 0 18
  Insurance receivable settlement 6 0 6
  Insurance receipts for asbestos related liabilities (21) (33) (54)
        
 September 30, 2011$160$685$845
        
Schedule of Accrual For Asbestos Loss Contingencies Balance Sheet Classification Text Block
 NARCO and Bendix asbestos related balances are included in the following balance sheet accounts:
         
   September 30,  December 31,  
   2011  2010  
         
 Other current assets$ 97 $ 50  
 Insurance recoveries for asbestos related liabilities   748   825  
         
  $ 845 $ 875  
         
 Accrued liabilities$ 163 $ 162  
 Asbestos related liabilities  1,574   1,557  
         
  $ 1,737 $ 1,719