In response to the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) is proving its commitment to solve world challenges by putting its water solution technology to work to bring clean, fresh water to those in need. Water is essential to human life and although 70 percent of the world is made of water, only a small fraction of it (2.5 percent) is actually suitable for drinking. In fact, 1 in 7 people around the world lack access to safe, clean drinking water in the best of times, and the numbers rise during times of crisis like the aftermath of earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes.

Dow works alongside non-governmental organizations, celebrities and other supporting companies to raise awareness about the lack of safe drinking water in impoverished communities around the globe. This year on April 18, Dow is sponsoring the Dow Live Earth Run for Water "“ the largest global water initiative in history to help solve the world water crisis. The run will consist of a series of 6-kilometer run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to secure water) taking place over the course of 24 hours in countries around the world, featuring concerts and water education activities focused on the actions individuals can take to effectively address the issue.

In addition to raising awareness, Dow demonstrates its commitment to solving the global water crisis by donating funds and materials to make clean, potable water accessible where it is scarce or during times of crisis. In partnership with Pure Water for the World, Dow is providing two ultrafiltration modules in Porte-au-Prince, Haiti, which will provide much needed water to between 5,000 and 10,000 people a day as part of relief efforts after the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. This donation complements the corporate and Dow employee private contributions, as well as raw materials to manufacture mattresses, which will assist people who lost their homes and belongings.

In China, Dow was one of the first companies to respond after the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. In addition to cash contributions, Dow donated two drinking water units with a value of RMB 2 million for Bei Chuan, one of the most stricken areas, providing drinking water for 6,000 people daily. Employees from Dow AgroSciences also visited the earthquake stricken area to help local farmers' learn how to better protect their crops.

Located approximately 50 km from Thane, India, the Naya Jeevan is an orphanage for girls and HIV positive children. Potable water quality at this facility is a serious issue and the low water quality has caused the children to regularly suffer from water borne diseases. To solve the orphanage's water problem, Dow designed a reverse osmosis plant that uses a combination of water sources available to the community. This plant not only delivers water to meet World Health Organization standards, but also provides a consistent water taste that the children prefer.

The need for clean water extends far beyond the scope of drinking water. Clean water is needed to provide essential healthcare services that are often in high demand in the poorest of areas, like Vietnam. To help with that need, the Vietnam representative office of The Dow Chemical Company subsidiary has been donating water purification systems to poor rural hospitals in Vietnam every year since 2001. The water purification systems use DOW FILMTEC™ reverse osmosis membranes to purify water typically sourced from underground wells, nearby rivers or ponds. Treated water from the system is virtually free of contaminants, germs and bacteria. Dow collaborates with one of the distributors of its membrane products in Vietnam to design, install and maintain each system.

These and many other efforts show the importance of tapping water solutions technology to promote access to what is elemental to human progress.

About Dow
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. 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.

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

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.