Niiskuseimav

Niiskuseimav is a term used in Estonian to describe a substance or material that can absorb moisture from its surroundings. It is formed from the noun niiskus (moisture) and the participial adjective imav (absorbing). The concept is closely related to hygroscopicity, a field of study covering how materials attract and retain water vapor from the air. In practical use, niiskuseimav materials include desiccants such as silica gel and calcium chloride, as well as natural fibers like cotton and certain papers, and synthetic polymers designed to attract humidity. These materials are employed to reduce ambient humidity, protect goods from moisture damage, extend shelf life of pharmaceuticals, electronics, and foods, and to condition environments in storage, packaging, and manufacturing.

The effectiveness of a niiskuseimav material depends on climate conditions, temperature, and relative humidity. Absorption is commonly expressed as a percentage of weight gain or as equilibrium relative humidity reduction in a closed system. In packaging, desiccants labeled as niiskuseimav indicate their ability to lower the humidity inside a container. The term is descriptive rather than a specific standard; different industries may define acceptable performance by different metrics or tests.