(57) Elements, including radiation-sensitive elements (e.g. color photographic paper products), comprise a support having thereon a substantially crystal- and agglomeration-free hydrophilic layer. This layer comprises a hydrophilic composition comprising a hydrophilic binder and water-insoluble polymer particles dispersed therein. These particles have recurring units derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers, and comprise from 0.5 to 10 percent, based on total monomer weight, of a hydrophobe uniformly distributed throughout the particles. Particularly useful polymer particles are those having recurring units derived from at least one monomer having a crosslinkable moiety. Particularly useful hydrophobes are optical brighteners.