The U.S. EPA's top official was back in East Palestine today getting an update on cleanup efforts.

Administrator Michael Regan toured the site of the February train derailment and spoke exclusively with 21 News at 5 anchor Lindsay McCoy.

Regan discussed testing and monitoring, criticism of the department and earning the public's trust.

Administrator Regan said more than 92% of the waste removal is done in the area.

"It's interesting to note, over 150,000 tons of contaminated soils have been removed, approximately 35 million gallons of wastewater," Regan said. "We are just continuing to clean up this mess I would say in record time."

When it comes to testing, Regan said they've been thorough and focused, especially with dioxin tests.

"We are testing the air, we’re testing soil, we’re testing water," Regan said. "Just in air monitoring alone, over 100 million air monitoring data points we have collected to be sure the air is safe to breathe. We are going to continue to test the air, water and soil and we want the people, the residents of East Palestine to know that we will be here until the job is done.

"We tested, we have done a very thorough and rigorous testing of dioxins, especially focused on those that might have resulted from the train derailment," Regan continued. "What we found is no evidence that there are higher levels as a result of the train derailment. I just know that we have world class sampling methods, we have some of the best technology in the world, we have deployed those technologies here to be sure that every resident is safe and listen I am very confident in the world class capabilities of the Environmental Protection Agency."

Michael Regan also spoke on President Biden having not made a visit to East Palestine since the derailment happened on February 3. Biden said during a news conference in Live Oak, Florida following Hurricane Idalia that he hadn't "had the occasion" to go to East Palestine. Following that news conference, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that he would still make a trip to the affected area.

"They have confirmed that the president will make a visit to East Palestine, not sure, I don’t manage the President’s calendar in that regard," Regan added. "What I can say is that I am here today, the 4th time I have been here, to ensure that President Biden is paying attention and holding Norfolk Southern accountable."

EPA administrator Regan also touched on his agency's commitment to the community and the work to earn the public's trust.

"I think the big takeaway there is the OIG encouraged us to really communicate well to the community and broaden and bolster the risk communication," Regan told 21 News. "I think that is something we can all agree that there is no such thing has over communicating and so we will continue to work on communicating effectively to the residents of East Palestine so they know that we have there safety as a first priority and we are going to continue to work to earn their trust and keep their trust. What I will say is I will continue to work with the Mayor, I'll continue to work with the congressional delegation, I’ll continue to work with the state. We have world class scientists and engineers, measuring and monitoring and cleaning up this mess. Let’s not forget Norfolk Southern caused this dilemma and we are going to hold them accountable. We are going to continuing to work to earn the publics trust, it is not a gift, we have to earn it and we have to continue to work on that."