Star Market in Newtonville is back open after a brief closure due to potential asbestos exposure.

The city’s Health and Human Services Department abruptly shut the Austin Street grocery store on Tuesday afternoon after state environmental officials notified them that some demolition work may have released asbestos—a fibrous, carcinogenic material found in nature that was used industrially from the mid-19^th century in construction and fireproofing that’s been banned in the United States since the 1980s—into  a stockroom.

Newton Public Health and Human Services Commissioner Shin-Yi Lao said ther store would remain closed while Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection workers investigated the site.

On Friday, state environmental officials deemed the store safe after the stockroom in question was sealed off and no notable traces of asbestos were found on surfaces in any of the locations around the store that were tested. The city allowed the store to reopen at 10 a.m. Friday.

The investigation is ongoing.

“The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is continuing to work with Star Market to undertake the appropriate abatement measures in the stockroom. The work will take place in a contained area so there is no risk to the public.”

Customers and employees who were in Star Market who have questions may contact the Newton Health and Human Services Department at (617) 796-1420, or email questions to starmarketquestions@newtonma.gov.