Air quality data from 27 Italian cities across 17 regions have been released. The data show that air pollution remains an environmental and health emergency. Already in April, in 19 monitored cities, the new annual limits introduced by the European Directive had been exceeded; in June, monitoring also began for tropospheric ozone, a typically summer pollutant. By the end of August, 17 cities had already surpassed the European target of 18 days per year, with alarming highs: 62 days in Bergamo, 56 in Milan, and 54 in Modena. The geographical picture reveals stark differences: in Northern Italy, particulate matter and ozone predominate, with very high levels in the Po Valley; in the South and in port cities, nitrogen dioxide remains the main problem, linked to road and ship traffic (143 days exceeded in Naples and 100 in Palermo). Florence and Terni are experiencing severe ozone pollution in Central Italy, while Rome has exceeded the safe levels of multiple pollutants. The repercussions are severe in all regions: the air is contaminated, which exacerbates respiratory diseases, damages vegetation, and diminishes the quality of life. It is now evident that it will be impossible to comply with EU limits, much less to approach the more stringent WHO standards, in the absence of structural measures, including the reduction of combustion, the promotion of public and electronic mobility, and the regulation of industrial and port emissions.