Linear PEI Solution Making

I'm making a solution with linear [poly(ethyleneimine)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylenimine) $\ce{[CH2CH2NH]\_{n}}$. The bottle indicates that the substance is hygroscopic and must be dealt with under inert gas. Is this really necessary? I don't currently have access to such a space - just the PEI and a balance.


