Airgas, Inc.
                                                   259 N. Radnor-Chester Road
                                                   Suite 100
                                                   Radnor, PA 19087-5283
                                                   www.airgas.com
AIRGAS                      NEWS RELEASE
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Exhibit 99.1
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Investor Contact:                                  Media Contact:
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Melissa Nigro (610) 902-6206             James Ely (610) 902-6010
melissa.nigro@airgas.com                       jim.ely@airgas.com


For release:        IMMEDIATELY


         AIRGAS ANNOUNCES $150 MILLION NOTE OFFERING


RADNOR, PA - March 2, 2004  -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG)

announced today its intent to commence an offering of

$150,000,000 of a new series of senior subordinated notes due

2014.  Net proceeds from the offering will be used to redeem

in their entirety the $75 million in 7.14% medium term notes

due this month and reduce the outstanding balance under

Airgas' existing revolving credit facility.


The notes are being sold in the United States to qualified

institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A, and outside the

United States in compliance with Regulation S, under the

Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  These notes have not been

registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or

any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in

the United States absent registration or an applicable

exemption from registration requirements.  This announcement

shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an

offer to buy the securities.



ABOUT AIRGAS, INC.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) is the largest U.S. distributor of
industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding, safety and
related products.  Its integrated network of nearly 800
locations includes branches, retail stores, gas fill plants,
specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution
centers.  Airgas also distributes its products and services
through eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels.  Its
national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive
edge to its diversified customer base.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements
about Airgas within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including
statements regarding Airgas' intent to sell senior
subordinated notes; redeem a medium term note; and
reduce borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those predicted in any such
forward-looking statements include Airgas' ability to
sell the notes; general economic conditions; and other
factors described in the Company's reports, including
its Form 10-K dated March 31, 2003 and Forms 10-Q dated
June 30, 2003, September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2003,
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

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