President Obama’s pick for EPA Administrator is receiving praise from a range of groups including state governments, environmentalists, and industry representatives.

Gina McCarthy, President Obama’s choice to be Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after the resignation of former Administrator Lisa Jackson, is expected to face a tough confirmation hearing in the coming days.

But those who worked with her in her past careers throughout New England are praising her as a strong leader and for her ability to find common ground on contentious issues.

If one wants an indication where U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy's priorities lie as a public servant, he or she needs only to look at the beginning of her resume.

McCarthy, who heads EPA's Office of Air and Radiation and is widely rumored to be nominated as EPA administrator in the next week, started her career as a public health agent in her hometown of Canton, Mass., working for the local board of health in nearby Stoughton.

"That's what she's about," said Seth Kaplan, vice president for policy and climate advocacy for the Conservation Law Foundation, who worked with McCarthy in Massachusetts on energy and air issues. "And let me tell you, that person is still there."

PORTSMOUTH - Janah Trent of Kittery, Maine, doesn't want her young child - or anyone else's - sitting in bathwater containing formaldehyde, a byproduct of many popular brand-name baby shampoos, she said.

Advocates with Clean Water Action New Hampshire say most consumers also would be troubled to know many lipsticks contain leads, and it isn't uncommon for mascara to contain mercury.

Many people may ask why the government lets companies put such ingredients in hygiene products, but they actually don't, according to Elise Annunziata.

"There isn't any regulation ... it's completely self-regulated by the industry, and we saw how well that worked on Wall Street," she said.