Puhtusastet

Puhtusastet is an Estonian term used to describe the purity level of a substance. It indicates how much of the target component is present relative to impurities. Purity is a context-dependent concept, applying to chemicals, materials, water, air, and food ingredients alike. In many fields it is expressed as a percentage or as concentration units such as parts per million.

Purity can be defined for different stages of production, from raw materials to finished products. The required puhtusastet depends on purpose, safety, and regulatory standards. Higher purity often entails stricter controls on synthesis, handling, and storage to minimize contamination.

Measurement methods range from gravimetric and titrimetric assays to instrumental techniques such as chromatography (HPLC, GC), spectrometry (UV-Vis, IR), and mass spectrometry. Elemental analysis, conductivity, and impurities profiling are also used to quantify trace components or metallic contaminants.

Standards and regulations establish acceptable puhtusastet for different sectors. In pharmaceuticals, electronics, and food, authorized catalogs (pharmacopoeias, industry norms) set minimum purity requirements and testing protocols. Laboratories report purity with certified reference materials and traceable calibration.

Common examples include water purity grades, chemical reagents rated by purity percent or grade, and semiconductor-grade silicon with very high puhtusastet. While higher purity generally improves performance, it can also raise production costs and complicate manufacturing workflows.