VALHI TO INVEST IN WASTE TREATMENT BUSINESS


                DALLAS, TEXAS . . . September, 19, 1995 . . . Valhi,
      Inc. (NYSE:VHI) announced today that it has signed a letter of
      intent to purchase a 50% interest in a joint venture with Ken
      Bigham that will own Waste Control Specialists, Inc. (WCS).  WCS
      has obtained permits for handling substantially all hazardous
      waste with RCRA and TSCA waste codes.  WCS intends before the end
      of 1995 to commence construction at a 16,000 acre site in Andrews
      County, Texas, of an 11,274,000 cubic yard landfill.  The facility
      will include two distinct 637,000 cubic yard condominium cells and
      is expected to be operational in 1996.  The landfill is designed
      to be a state-of-the-art facility that will utilize advanced
      technology for the testing, characterization, storage and disposal
      of hazardous waste.

                Valhi expects to invest $25 million for its 50%
       interest.  WCS will continue to be managed by its CEO, Ken Bigham.
        Mr. Bigham has over 15 years of experience in the business of
       environmental waste management, having built a substantial
       hazardous waste storage business that was based in Texas and
       subsequently sold to a publicly-held company in the environmental
       waste business.

                The transaction is subject to, among other things,
       completion of due diligence and approval of Valhi's Board of
       Directors.

                Valhi, Inc., is a diversified company which engages in
      chemicals, refined sugar, building products and other businesses.