The net amount (to the extent disclosed within this portion of the income statement) by which an insurance settlement exceeds incremental costs incurred from the event causing an interruption of business, plus the insurance award for earnings lost from the event, such as a natural catastrophe, explosion or fire.

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Business Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract related intangible asset impairment					$ 5.1
Business interruption insurance proceeds					3.4
Long-lived asset impairment	$ 170.6			$ 170.6
Real Estate Management And Development \| Customer Relationships
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract related intangible asset impairment			$ 5.1		5.1
Chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business interruption insurance proceeds		$ 1.4			$ 3.4
Waste Management
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment	$ 170.6			$ 170.6
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct ownership percentage by parent	50.00%			50.00%
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary	30.00%			30.00%
NL
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct ownership percentage by parent	83.00%			83.00%
LandWell
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct ownership percentage by parent	27.00%			27.00%
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary	50.00%			50.00%
BMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct ownership percentage by parent	63.00%			63.00%
BMI \| Real Estate Management And Development
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct ownership percentage by parent	63.00%			63.00%