EXHIBIT 23.1





            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the:

(i)  Registration Statement No. 33-29287 on Form S-8 and related Prospectus with
     respect to the 1989 Long Term Performance  Incentive Plan of NL Industries,
     Inc.; and

(ii) Registration Statement No. 33-25913 on Form S-8 and related Prospectus with
     respect to the NL Industries, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan; and

(iii)Registration  Statement  No.  333-65817 on Form S-8 and related  Prospectus
     with respect to the NL Industries, Inc. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan; and

(iv) Registration Statement No. 33-48145 on Form S-8 and related Prospectus with
     respect to the NL Industries, Inc. 1992 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option
     Plan.

of our  reports  dated March 30, 2005  relating  to the  consolidated  financial
statements,  financial  statement  schedules,  management's  assessment  of  the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness
of internal  control over  financial  reporting of NL  Industries,  Inc.,  which
appear in this Form 10-K.



                                                     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



Dallas, Texas
March 30, 2005