NL INDUSTRIES, INC.                Contact:   Gregory M. Swalwell
Three Lincoln Centre                          Vice President,  Finance and Chief
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700                      Financial Officer
Dallas, Texas  75240-2697                     (972) 233-1700
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PRESS RELEASE
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[LOGO GOES HERE]


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



              NL INDUSTRIES, INC. ANNOUNCES CASH QUARTERLY DIVIDEND


     DALLAS, TEXAS - August 25, 2006 - NL Industries,  Inc. (NYSE: NL) announced
today that its board of directors has declared a regular  quarterly  dividend of
twelve and one-half  cents  ($0.125) per share on its common stock to be paid in
cash. The dividend is payable on September 28, 2006 to shareholders of record at
the close of business on September 13, 2006.

     NL  Industries,  Inc.  is  engaged  in  the  component  products  (security
products,  furniture  components and performance  marine  components),  titanium
dioxide pigments and other businesses.

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