2.25.2008 - 09:00am ET

(CSRwire) MIDLAND and SPRING LAKE, MI - February 25, 2008 – The Dow Chemical Company and humanitarian healthcare agency International Aid today announced a partnership that will help provide safer and cleaner water around the world.

Dow will supply all of the plastic resin required to manufacture 300,000 HydrAid(TM) BioSand Water Filters, a lightweight water purification device currently being distributed by International Aid and its partners worldwide. At just seven pounds, the HydrAid(TM) filter is viewed as a major design improvement to the traditional, 300-pound concrete BioSand filter. Manufactured by Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Cascade Engineering, the injection-molded, non-electric device is far easier to transport, and can provide enough clean, safe water to meet all of a family's daily water needs.

"The simplicity, affordability and effectiveness of the HydrAid(TM) water filter hold the promise to make a dramatic impact on the global water crisis," said International Aid President and CEO Myles D. Fish. "We are delighted that Dow is joining with International Aid and our growing number of distribution partners to help bring the HydrAid(TM) filter to the many thousands of communities suffering from lack of clean water worldwide."

More than one billion people across the developing world lack access to safe water and nearly 5,000 children die each day from a host of water-related diseases.

"As a world leader in chemistry, we are uniquely positioned to use our products and technologies to develop innovative solutions to supply cleaner and safer water to those in need," said David Kepler, Senior Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer for Dow. "Through partnerships with organizations like International Aid, we can increase the global sense of urgency to help solve these world challenges."

International Aid's global safe water campaign is enlisting humanitarian groups, NGOs, churches and faith-based organizations, and individuals to help address the mounting worldwide health crisis caused by waterborne illness. Dow's commitment to this initiative aligns with the company's 2015 Sustainability Goals, and its pledge to contribute to solutions for some of the most serious problems faced by the most vulnerable members of the larger human family: affordable and adequate food supply; decent housing; improved personal health and safety; and sustainable water supplies.

Dow and International Aid announced their partnership at the 2008 International Thirsting to Serve Water Conference, held at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich.

About International Aid

International Aid is a leading Christian relief and development agency that provides and supports solutions in healthcare. Over the past decade, International Aid has responded to more than 100 man-made and natural disasters – including 9/11, Katrina and other major U.S. hurricanes, the South Asian tsunami and Pakistan earthquake – and has delivered more than $500 million in relief supplies to 170 countries. In addition to its high-profile relief work, International Aid is heavily involved in multiple development efforts focused in the areas of community-based healthcare; disease treatment and prevention; and leveraging the agency's network of ministry partners to provide products, equipment and knowledge-based services to people in need worldwide.

About HydrAid(TM)

For safe water-related resources – including more information about the HydrAid(TM) filter, video b-roll, photography, fact sheets and other water-related sources – visit www.hydraid.org.

About Dow

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

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