So far the definitive answer is no.
I have no proof to dispute the claim, but then again I can't prove an atomizer / cartomizer contains traces of peanuts either.
I did some research on Asbestos and the use of it is mostly banned (in 52 countries). Most of our e-cig stuff comes from China which is a bit alarming, because in China the use of Asbestos is booming. However lots of goods come from China, they mainly use Asbestos still in the areas of construction and the automotive industry.
Anyways, these Chinese firms would be daft to use Asbestos in Atomizers, and here is why?
1. The FDA are breaking their backs trying to find a way to ban e-cigs. So far they've turned up nothing of interest, and definitely not Asbestos, but don't think Chinese manufacturers are not aware of the FDA restrictions, and the huge loss of revenue it would mean to them should anything unhealthy be found in atomizers.
2. I can't think of a material that would be worse than Asbestos. Not for you or me, but certainly not for PR. The E-cig industry has yet to really establish themselves. They're still trying to gain credibility in the industry. E-cigarettes are marketed as
devices that can actively prevent cancer. They're made by some big names : Joye, Bauway, Cisco, HelloSmoke to name a few, not by some backyard crooks out to make a quick buck.
3. There are lots of other non toxic wicking materials. No need to purposely cripple your product for no good reason.
This is just my common
sense, but I think until more tests are done you're going to be hard pressed to find rock solid evidence to suggest otherwise.