Airgas Announces Pricing Actions Effective June 26, 2006.

RADNOR, Pa. -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) announced that effective June 26, 2006, or as contracts permit, its operating units will increase prices on packaged and bulk gases, and other products. Prices will increase, on average, as follows:

--10%-15% for packaged and bulk industrial gases, including oxygen and nitrogen; specialty gases, medical gases, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and dry ice;

--15%-20% for argon, hydrogen, helium, acetylene, and other fuel gases

Airgas also will raise rental rates for cylinders and bulk tanks and other service charges and will continue to pass along higher pricing for hardgoods and safety products. These changes are in addition to ongoing fuel and other surcharges implemented to recover specific costs.

Higher energy prices, especially electricity, have led to substantial increases in product costs as well as operating costs at Airgas fill plants and other facilities. The company also has seen higher prices for cylinders, bulk tanks, equipment, and welding consumables, due to higher stainless steel and non-ferrous metal prices, which all factored into the pricing actions.

"These actions are needed to address the rising costs," said Airgas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter McCausland. "In the last year, Airgas associates have worked very hard to meet our customers' needs during a period of strong demand and record utilization rates in our industry. Please be assured we will do all we can to meet our customers' strong demand again this year under tight supply conditions."

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also the third-largest U.S. distributor of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants and ammonia products. Its 10,000 employees work in about 900 locations including 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. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that are forward looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: anticipated price increases for the Company's products and services effective June 26, 2006; anticipated strong customer demand and tight supply conditions; and the Company's plan to efficiently distribute products to its customers. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors and should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement include: the Company's inability to successfully implement the price increases; an economic downturn; increased industry competition; adverse changes in customer buying patterns; catastrophic weather events, significant political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events; and other factors described in the Company's reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2005 and Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2005, September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2005, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.