ECOLAB INC. — Director's Dealing 2010

May 3, 2010

SEC Form 4 — Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership

Issuer: ECOLAB INC (ECL)
CIK: 0000031462
Period of Report: 2010-04-29

Reporting Person: PRITCHARD BETH M (Director)

Non-Derivative Transactions

Date	Security	Code	Shares	Price	A/D	Holdings After	Ownership
2010-04-29	Common Stock	P	500	$47.8488	Acquired	14271.63	Direct
2010-04-30	Common Stock	M	1950	$29.29	Acquired	16221.63	Direct
2010-04-30	Common Stock	F	1166	$48.98	Disposed	15055.63	Direct
2010-04-30	Common Stock	M	1700	$29.29	Acquired	16755.63	Direct
2010-04-30	Common Stock	F	1016	$48.98	Disposed	15739.63	Direct

Derivative Transactions

Date	Security	Exercise Price	Code	Shares	A/D	Expiration	Underlying	Ownership
2004-05-07	Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$29.29	M	1950	Disposed	2014-05-07	Common Stock (1950)	Direct
2010-04-30	Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$48.98	A	1166	Acquired	2014-05-07	Common Stock (1166)	Direct
2010-04-30	Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$29.29	M	1700	Disposed	2014-05-17	Common Stock (1700)	Direct
2010-04-30	Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$48.98	A	1016	Acquired	2014-05-07	Common Stock (1016)	Direct

Footnotes

F1: Reflects the reporting person's payment of the exercise price of the stock options issued in accordance with Rule 16b-3 in each case by delivering shares of Ecolab common stock.