An enhanced material formed from a carrier material having a high porosity. The carrier material is treated with a mixture of hydrated 1,2,3-propanetriol and water soluble polymers to increase the adherence of the carrier material particles to one another to minimize atmospheric contamination of the carrier materials in use and to increase the water absorption of the material. The material has particular applicable to environments where such contamination would create problems, such as food processing and preparation environments, computer operations, electronic component manufacturing and other environments.