XML 94 R80.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.2

Commitments and Contingencies - Environmental (Details) | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Apr. 30, 2019 USD ($) | Jul. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Feb. 28, 2018 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($) lawsuit item person facility defendant subsidiary company
Environmental Matters - Remediation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued loss contingency reserve | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 20,000,000
Number of years remediation payments expected to be paid for applicable sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20 years
Environmental Matters - Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued loss contingency reserve | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0
Insurance receivables | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 8,000,000
Environmental Matters - Regulatory Activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of years after phase-out decision in May 2000 that the Company stopped manufacturing and using vast majority of perfluorooctanyl compounds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 years
Amount of PFOA and PFOS found in drinking water, either individually or combined, that are allowed per the EPA's announced lifetime health advisory levels in parts per trillion | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 70
Amount of PFOA in drinking water allowed per provisional health advisories in parts per trillion (superseded) | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 400
Amount of PFOS in drinking water allowed per provisional health advisories in parts per trillion (superseded) | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 200
Number of PFCs the EPA has required to have public water system suppliers monitor | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6
Number of PFAS the EPA has required to have public water system suppliers monitor | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6
Number compounds EPA asked for public comment on draft toxicity assessments for PFAS compounds, including PFBS | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Number of public water supplies the EPA reported results | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,920
Number of water supplies that reported above advisory level with PFOA | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 13
Number of water supplies that reported above advisory level with PFOS | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 46
Number of water supplies that reported above advisory level with both PFOA and PFOS under technical advisory issued by EPA in September 2016 | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 65
Environmental Matters - Regulatory Activities | Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of water supply samples used to test for PFOA and PFOS under the EPA lifetime health advisory program | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Environmental Matters - Regulatory Activities | Minnesota Department of Health |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of PFOA in drinking water allowed per Minnesota Department of Health in parts per trillion | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 35
Amount of PFOS in drinking water allowed per Minnesota Department of Health in parts per trillion | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27
Additional amounts of PFOS in drinking water allowed per Minnesota Department of Health in parts per trillion | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15
Amount of PFHxS in drinking water allowed per Minnesota Department of Health in parts per trillion | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 47
Amount of PFBS in drinking water allowed per Minnesota Department of Health in parts per billion | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Environmental Matters - Litigation | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of plaintiffs | person |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 59
Number of additional defendants | person |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 24
Environmental Matters - Litigation | Alabama |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation settlement awarded | $ |  |  | $ 35,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of local water works for whom the water authority supplies water | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5
Environmental Matters - Litigation | Decatur, Alabama |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of closed municipal landfills | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3
Number of putative class action and other lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Environmental Matters - Litigation | Minnesota |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation settlement awarded | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 897,000,000 |
Settlement amount paid | $ |  |  |  |  | $ 850,000,000 |  |  |  |
Environmental Matters - Litigation | Lake Elmo, Minnesota | Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Settlement amount paid | $ |  |  | $ 5,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Environmental Matters - Litigation | New Jersey |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Number of additional new claims filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Loss Contingency Parties Jointly and Severally Liable in Litigation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | six
Environmental Matters - Litigation | Salem County, New Jersey |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of facilities related to the manufacture and disposal of PFAS | facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Environmental Matters - Litigation | State court in New York |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4
Environmental Matters - Litigation | State Court of Lawrence County, Alabama |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of plaintiffs | person |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 200
Environmental Matters - Litigation | New Hampshire |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Loss Contingency Parties Jointly and Severally Liable in Litigation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | seven
Environmental Matters - Litigation | Vermont |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Loss Contingency Parties Jointly and Severally Liable in Litigation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ten
Environmental Matters - Other Environmental Litigation | New Jersey |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of unnamed defendant | defendant |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 120
Approximate number of miles of a river seeking to be cleaned | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8
The value the award the plaintiff seeks | $ |  |  |  | $ 165,000,000 |  |  |  |  |
Number of chemicals of concern in the sediment | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8
Number of commercial drum conditioning facilities | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Environmental Matters - Aqueous Film Forming Foam Litigation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8
Number of putative class action and other lawsuits | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 730
Number of class action lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25
Number of cases filed by current or former firefighters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 249
Environmental Matters - Aqueous Film Forming Foam Litigation | U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 715
Number of putative class action and other lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 725
Environmental Matters - Aqueous Film Forming Foam Litigation | Various state courts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9
Number of lawsuits pending |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5
Number of cases stayed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5
Environmental Matters - Aqueous Film Forming Foam Litigation | State court in Wisconsin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of subsidiaries of plaintiff | subsidiary |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Environmental Matters - Aqueous Film Forming Foam Litigation | Federal court |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits pending |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Environmental Matters - Other PFAS-related Environmental Litigation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued loss contingency reserve | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 382,000,000
Increase (decrease) accrued loss contingency reserve | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 235,000,000 |  | 43,000,000
Litigation payments | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 106,000,000
Number of landfills tested by the entity for environmental matters and litigation related to historical PFAS manufacturing operations | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4
Charge for environmental resolutions | $ |  |  |  |  |  | $ 214,000,000 |  |  |
Environmental Matters - Other PFAS-related Environmental Litigation | U.S. District Court of New York State |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 40
Number of additional new claims filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4
Number of putative class action and other lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Environmental Matters - Other PFAS-related Environmental Litigation | U.S. District Court of Eastern District of New York |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits pending |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8
Environmental Matters - Other PFAS-related Environmental Litigation | Alabama |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of perfluorinated materials (FBSA and FBSEE) the company cannot release into "the waters of the United States." | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Number of putative class action and other lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4
Environmental Matters - Other PFAS-related Environmental Litigation | Georgia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of putative class action and other lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Environmental Matters - Other PFAS-related Environmental Litigation | Cities located downstream along the Coosa River |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of putative class action and other lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3
Environmental Matters - Other PFAS-related Environmental Litigation | Michigan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of plaintiffs | person |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Settlement amount paid | $ | $ 55,000,000 | $ 70,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 267
Number of federal bellwether cases with trial-ready dates set |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4
Number of federal bellwether cases the court issued the first round of dispositive motion rulings |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Total number of federal bellwether cases |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3
Number of putative class action and other lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Number of companies involved in agreement | company |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Environmental Matters - Other PFAS-related Environmental Litigation | Delaware. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of putative class action and other lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1

X
- Definition This element represents the additional amounts of PFOS chemicals allowed in drinking water (in parts per trillion) per guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_AdditionalAmountsOfPfoaInDrinkingWaterAllowedPerMinnesotaDepartmentOfHealth
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of companies, in addition to the named parties disclosed in the document, that have been included in an enforcement action. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_AdditionalCompaniesInvolvedInComplaint
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in drinking water allowed per the guidance of the provisional health advisories issued by the EPA in 2009 under the Safe Drinking Water Act (presented parts per trillion). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_AmountOfPFOAInDrinkingWaterAllowedPerProvisionalHealthAdvisories
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in drinking water allowed per the guidance of the provisional health advisories issued by the EPA in 2009 under the Safe Drinking Water Act (presented in parts per trillion). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_AmountOfPFOSInDrinkingWaterAllowedPerProvisionalHealthAdvisories
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the amount of PFBS chemicals allowed in drinking water (in parts per billion) per guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_AmountOfPfbsInDrinkingWaterAllowedPerMinnesotaDepartmentOfHealth
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of Perfluoroocotanoate (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in drinking water allowed per the EPA's announced lifetime health advisory levels (presented as parts per trillion). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_AmountOfPfoaAndPfosInDrinkingWaterAllowedPerEpaLifetimeHealthAdvisoryLevels
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the amount of PFOA chemicals allowed in drinking water (in parts per trillion) as per guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_AmountOfPfoaInDrinkingWaterAllowedPerMinnesotaDepartmentOfHealth
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the amount of PFOS chemicals allowed in drinking water (in parts per trillion) per guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_AmountOfPfosInDrinkingWaterAllowedPerMinnesotaDepartmentOfHealth
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the amount of PFHxS chemicals allowed in drinking water (in parts per trillion) per guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_AmountsOfPfhxsInDrinkingWaterAllowedPerMinnesotaDepartmentOfHealth
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of landfills tested by the entity for environmental matters and litigation related to historical PFAS manufacturing operations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_EnvironmentalMattersAndLitigationRelatedToHistoricalPFSManufacturingOperationsNumberOfLandfillsTested
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of years the Company expects it will pay the amounts recorded over the periods of remediation for the applicable sites. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValueRemediationPaymentsYears
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total number of additional new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_LossContingencyAdditionalNewClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The approximate number of miles of the river plaintiffs are seeking to be cleaned. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_LossContingencyApproximateMilesOfRiverToBeCleanedNumber
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of current or former firefighters who have filed a case against the product. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfCasesFiledByCurrentOrFormerFirefighters
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of cases stayed by the courts. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfCasesStayed
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of chemicals of concern in the sediment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfChemicalsOfConcern
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of class action lawsuits involved. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfClassActionLawsuits
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of closed municipal landfills. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfClosedMunicipalLandfillsRegardingPossibleEnvironmentalAndHealthEffectsOfVariousPerfluorinatedCompounds
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of commercial drum conditioning facilities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfCommercialDrumConditioningFacilities
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number compounds EPA asked for public comment on draft toxicity assessments for PFAS compounds, including PFBS. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfCompoundsForWhichEpaHasAskedForPublicCommentRegardingPossibleHealthEffectsOfVariousPerfluorinatedCompounds
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of facilities related to the manufacture and disposal of PFAS. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfFacilitiesRelatedToManufactureAndDisposalOfPFS
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the number of federal bellwether cases that have a scheduled trial date set. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfFederalBellwetherCases
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of federal bellwether cases the court issued the first round of dispositive motion rulings. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfFederalBellwetherCasesCourtIssuedFirstRoundDispositiveMotionRulings
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of local water works for whom the water authority supplies supply water. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfLocalWaterWorksWaterAuthoritySuppliesWater
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of PFCs the EPA has required to have public water system suppliers monitor. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfPFCsEPARequiredToHavePublicWaterSystemSuppliersMonitor
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of companies involved in the litigation and/or settlement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfPartiesInvolvedInLitigation
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of perfluorinated materials (FBSA and FBSEE) the company cannot release into "the waters of the United States." + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfPerfluorinatedMaterialsFBSAndFBSEE
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of PFAS the EPA has required to have public water system suppliers monitor. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfPfasEpaRequiredToHavePublicWaterSystemSuppliersMonitor
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of public water supplies for which the EPA reported results. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfPublicWaterSuppliesEpaReportedResults
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of putative class action and other lawsuits. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfPutativeClassActionAndOtherLawsuits
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of samples used of water supplies used by the EPA to test for lifetime health advisory amounts of PFOA and PFOS chemicals. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfSamplesFromWaterSuppliesUsedForTesting
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of unnamed defendants. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfUnnamedDefendants
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of water supplies that reported above the lifetime health advisory level issued by the EPA for both PFOA and PFOS under the technical advisory issued by the EPA in September 2016. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfWaterSuppliesThatReportedAboveAdvisoryLevelWithBothPfoaAndPfos
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of water supplies that reported above the lifetime health advisory level issued by the EPA for PFOA. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfWaterSuppliesThatReportedAboveAdvisoryLevelWithPfoa
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of water supplies that reported above the lifetime health advisory level issued by the EPA for PFOS. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfWaterSuppliesThatReportedAboveAdvisoryLevelWithPfos
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of years after phase-out decision in May 2000 that the Company stopped manufacturing and using vast majority of perfluorooctanyl compounds. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_NumberOfYearsAfterPhaseOutDecisionInMay2000ThatCompanyStoppedManufacturingPlusUsingVastMajorityOfPerfluorooctanylCompounds
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of subsidiaries of the plaintiff. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_SubsidiariesOfPlaintiffsNumber
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total number of federal bellwether cases the court issued. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mmm_TotalNumberOfFederalBellwetherCases
Namespace Prefix: | mmm_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Increase (decrease) in the accrual for environmental loss contingencies during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount due in settlement of a claim for reimbursement from an insurance company when the Company has suffered a loss covered under an insurance policy. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementsReceivable
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount awarded to other party in judgment or settlement of litigation. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of litigation expense, including but not limited to legal, forensic, accounting, and investigative fees. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of loss contingency liability. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in loss contingency liability. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValuePeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14557-108349 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14435-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of plaintiffs that have filed claims pertaining to a loss contingency. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Identifies individuals or entities that are co-defendants in a lawsuit, and who may have to pay all or a portion of any damages awarded. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyPartiesJointlyAndSeverallyLiableInLitigation
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of pending claims pertaining to a loss contingency. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14435-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_EnvironmentalRemediationRegulatoryActivitiesAndLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_EnvironmentalMattersRegulatoryActivitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_MinnesotaDepartmentOfHealthMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_EnvironmentalMattersLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_U.s.DistrictCourtForNorthernDistrictOfAlabamaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_AL
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_DecaturAlabamaPlantMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_MN
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_CityOfLakeElmoMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_NJ
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_SalemCountyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_StateCourtOfNewYorkStateMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_StateCourtOfLawrenceCountyAlabamaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_NH
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_VT
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_EnvironmentalMattersOtherEnvironmentalLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_EnvironmentalMattersAqueousFilmFormingFoamLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_USJudicialPanelOnMultidistrictLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_VariousStateCourtsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_StateCourtOfWisconsinMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_FederalCourtMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_EnvironmentalMattersOtherPfcRelatedEnvironmentalLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_UsDistrictCourtOfNewYorkStateMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_USDistrictCourtOfEasternDistrictOfNewYorkMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_GA
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_CitiesDownstreamCoosaRiverMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_MI
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_DE
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |